Plectocephalus americana (Syn. Centaurea americana)
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Description: Annual to 1 m high with lanceolate or elliptic leaves, alternate, 1-16 cm long. Flower heads solitary, 3-4 cm high and up to 10 cm wide, discoid. Corolla light purple-violet to white. Bracts (leaf-like structures at base of flower) of the involucre (a whorl of bracts subtending a flower or flower cluster) is highly branched, giving a basket-like appearance.
Field Identification: Erect aster with basket-like solitary flowers; resembles Texas Thistle but without spiny leaves.
Plant Trivia: Weed of agricultural fields due to its proliferation on disturbed areas
Occurrence: Frequent on sandy or clayey loams or caliche in prairies and open areas; widespread.
Bloom Period: April-June
Plant Use: Important butterfly nectar plant. Plant of disturbed areas providing ground cover and reducing erosion prospect due to wind or water.
stxflora 