Some Common Plants of Upper Newport Bay

Tocalote, Malta Star Thistle  (Centaurea melitensis)
Plant: Annual, erect, 1 to 1-1/2 feet tall, gray-downy, commonly much branched..  Invasive.
Flowers: Flower heads are solitary or with 2 or three at the ends of branching stems.  Numerous yellow disk flowers, Bracts 3/8 inch long, covered with spines with purple or brown tinge.
Leaf: Alternate on stems.  Lower leaves are cleft with large terminal lobe, 2 to 4-1/2 inches long.  Upper leaves are linear, smooth edges.  All leaves have no stems and extend down the main stem, wing-like.
Flowering period:   May to June
Can be found here: Many Places
Native Plant: No Halophyte: No
Family Name: Sunflower
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Date: 10/17/2005