Centaurea seridis, commonly known as the star thistle (or arzolla in Spanish), is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the sunflower and daisy family, Asteraceae. Native to the Western Mediterranean region, it is highly prominent along the coastal sand dunes and ecosystems of eastern and southern Spain.
Botanical Profile & Features
• Growth Habit: A robust, rhizomatous perennial herb with erect or sprawling (decumbent) winged stems.
• Foliage: The plant is characteristically tomentose (covered in dense, woolly, or velvety hairs), giving it a greyish-green appearance. The basal leaves are notably large, often exceeding 30 cm in length.
• Flowers: Features thistle-like composite flower heads with bright yellow florets, protected by outer bracts tipped with sturdy, protective spines.
• Ecological Role: It is a vital species for stabilizing coastal dune ecosystems, adapted to survive in sandy, nutrient-poor, and high-salinity maritime environments.
