Centaurea solstitialis L.

Biennial. Stems suberect to erect, weakly ribbed, branched, (10)–25–80 cm tall, with lanate to floccose tomentum. Lvs decurrent to form wings on stems, lanate; lower lvs pinnatifid, 6–12 × 1–3 cm, with triangular, oblong or linear, sinuate or lobed segments; upper lvs linear-lanceolate to narrowly triangular, entire or sinuate or toothed. Capitula not clustered. Involucre ovoid, (5)–7–12 mm diam.; outer and middle bracts ovate, not veined, with cobwebby hairs; appendages spreading to reflexed, not covering bracts, spinous, not narrowed at junction with bract, not decurrent on bract; terminal spine 15–25 mm long, shorter on outermost bracts, yellowish; lateral spines 2–(3) on each side, (1)–2–4 mm long, all at base of terminal spine. Florets yellow, all tubular. Corolla eglandular. Achenes 2.5–3 mm long, glabrous; pappus 3–4 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Dec.–May; Fruiting: Jan.–May.