Distribution: Introduced throughout the Pacific Northwest; widespread and common in eastern Washington
Habitat: Noxious weed of dry, disturbed areas
Flowers: July - September
Origin: Introduced from the eastern Mediterranean region
Conservation Status: Not of concern
Diffusely branched annual or biennial 1-6 dm. tall.
Leaves small, more or less pinnatifid, the lower ones early deciduous, the reduced ones or the inflorescence mostly entire.
Heads numerous, narrow; involucre 8-10 mm. high, the middle and outer bracts coarsely comb-like and tipped with a slender spine 1.5-4 mm. long; flowers few, white or rose-purple, the marginal ones not enlarged; pappus wanting; receptacle densely bristly.
PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Centaurea diffusa in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.
WA Flora Checklist: Centaurea diffusa checklist entry.
E-Flora BC: Centaurea diffusa atlas page.
CalPhotos: Centaurea diffusa photos.
USDA Plants: Centaurea diffusa information.