About Centaurea melitensis L.
Centaurea melitensis L. is an annual plant species in the daisy family, Asteraceae. It has multiple common names: it is called Maltese star-thistle in Europe, and tocalote or tocolote in western North America. Mature plants grow between 1 and 11 decimetres (4 to 43 inches) in height, and have resin-dotted leaves and spine-tipped phyllaries. This species is native to the Mediterranean region spanning Europe and Africa. It was introduced to North America during the 18th century, with the first documented occurrence in California recorded in the adobe of a building constructed in San Fernando in 1797. It has also become naturalized on many Pacific islands.
