Centaurea americana, commonly called American starthistle or American basketflower, is an annual native to the southern central United States and northeastern Mexico. Its common name comes from the underside of the inflorescence, which has a basket weave pattern on it and on the flowerbuds.
The pink petals look somewhat like a thistle with a cream colored center. Blooms are 4inches in diameter and are held from May until June. The plant can reach NaNfeet tall and has rough, lance-shaped leaves 4inches long.
The plant is often cultivated for its showy flowers, and can sometimes be found outside its native range as an escape from cultivation.[1]