Basketflower   Centaurea americana    
Sunflower family — Asteraceae

Also known as:
Thornless Thistle, Cardo del Valle, Star Thistle, American Basketflower, Powderpuff Thistle, American Knapweed

Slides: (click for larger view)

Basketflower presumably gets its common name from the exterior of the flower head, which resembles a wicker basket. It is a tall, showy spring- to summer-blooming annual somewhat reminiscent of thistles but lacking spines or bristles, and at times forms large colonies.

Dried Specimens: (click for larger view)

Flowering Months: April, May, June, July, August

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