SafePlants

Amberboa muricata

Amberboa muricata, also known as Sweet Sultan and Desert Star, is an easy-to-grow, long-flowering annual admired for its scented, thistle-like flowers. It is also closely related to Centaurea and has often been included with it.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant has a thistle-like flower.

Considerations for Children

• This plant has a thistle-like flower.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Amberboa muricata
• Common Names: Sweet Sultan, Desert Star
• Genus: Amberboa
• Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
• Subfamily: Carduoideae
• Tribe: Cardueae
• Subtribe: Centaureinae

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the Middle East and Mediterranean regions.
• May be found growing wild in Spain.
• Amberboa amberboi is found in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Produces tall stems.
• Features large, attractive flowers. Flower color may be purple-mauve or pale pink.
• Flowers resemble cornflowers, with a creamy centre, and are described as airy and shaggy.
• Well-branched stems.

Ecological Role

• Suitable for attracting bees and butterflies.
• Amberboa moschata is not native to California.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Attracts many butterflies and bees.

Quirky Facts

• Amberboa muricata 'Desert Star' was a new introduction for 2012.

Traditional Uses

• Amberboa divaricata has traditional medicinal uses in Pakistan, including as a tonic, aperient, deobstruent, febrifuge, anti-diarrheal, antiperiodic, antipyretic, and anticough.

Synonyms

• Amberboa moschata (L) DC
• Centaurea moschata Linnaeus

Further Information

• Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): Information available on Amberboa moschata 'Dairy Maid'.
• The Plant List: Includes a list of scientific plant names of species rank for the genus Amberboa.
• Tropicos