star-thistle
[star n.1; cf. G. sterndistel.]
A name for the weed Centaurea Calcitrapa, the flowers of which are surrounded by radiating spines; also for C. solstitialis, and as a book-name for the whole genus.
| 1578 Lyte Dodoens iv. lix. 521 This herbe is nowe called in Latine Carduus stellatus, and Stellaria, also Calcitrapa:..they call it..in base Almaigne, Sterre distel: in English Starre Thistel or Caltrop. 1597 Gerarde Herbal ii. cccclxx. 1003 The Star Thistle, called Carduus stellatus, hath many soft frized leaues. 1753 Chambers' Cycl. Suppl. App., Star-thistle, the English name of a species of centaury, called by some calcitrapa. 1822 Hortus Anglicus II. 418 C. Solstitialis. St. Barnaby's Star Thistle. 1863 Prior Plant-n., Star-Thistle, from its spiny involucre, resembling the weapon called a morning star, Centaurea solstitialis. |