2. BY: Sarah Ayllon

3. Purple star thistle Centaurea calcitrapa  Kingdom: Plants ( Plantae )  Phylum:  Class: Magnoliopsida

4. Distribution  Introduced in California, early 20 th century  Native to Mediterranean region of southern Europe and northern Africa  Came accidentally through contaminated seeds

5. Effects on Us!  Yellow Star Thistle can effect our grain fields and other agricultural areas where seeds can contaminate grain harvest and lower crop quality and value

6. Effects on Ecosystems  Displaces more valuable foreign species on rangelands, reduces wildlife habitat and forage  The Star Thistle also depletes soil moisture and alters water cycle  Major problems on annual rangelands in the San Francisco Bay area

7. Food Web Goat Cow star thistle Humans Sun Bee

8. It’s a Success!  Growing grasslands  When 2 star thistle are combined they grow heavier  +  For example: purple + yellow= 2x star thistle

9. Their Future…  Herbicides are most effective (Applied in Springs)  Grubbing or digging are effective