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Barnaby's Thistle
Centaurea solstitialis · Asteraceae
How it looks
Barnaby's Thistle is a herb with long, sharp, spine-like leaves and small yellow flowers gathered in a round flower head surrounded by large spines. The leaves and stems are densely set with coarse spines, and it reaches about 12-31 in (30-80 cm) tall, common in the wild.
Barnaby's Thistle is listed as non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. An occasional nibble is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
Even with a safe plant, make a habit of picking up fallen leaves the same day. If your cat likes to dig in or eat potting soil, fertilizer ingredients can upset their stomach — covering the soil with pebbles works well. If it comes home as a cut stem, florists often treat it with preservatives, so place the vase where your cat can't drink the water.
Details
- Scientific name
- Centaurea solstitialis
- Common name
- Barnaby's Thistle
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Source
- ASPCA
