Yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis, is common in open areas on roadsides, rangeland, wildlands, hay fields, pastures, and waste areas. Recent reports indicate that yellow starthistle infests between 10 and 15 million acres in California. It forms dense infestations and rapidly depletes soil moisture, thus preventing the establishment of other species. It is also poisonous to horses, causing a fatal nervous disorder called "chewing disease," (nigropallidal encephalomalacia).
Free publication that you can access as an HTML web page or download as a PDF document.
The PDF version of this publication requires the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. You can download a free copy of the Acrobat Reader from Adobe Systems Incorporated.