cockspur thistle

Centaurea melitensis is a member of the Asteraceae family and is commonly referred to as cockspur thistle. It is an annual plant with a height range of 1 to 11 decimetres. The plant features resin-dotted leaves and spine-tipped phyllaries. Originally from the Mediterranean region of Europe and Africa, it was introduced to North America in the 18th century. The first recorded occurrence in California was in the adobe of a building in San Fernando in 1797. It has since become naturalized in North America and on a number of Pacific islands.