Japanese name: キバナヤグルマギク（黄花矢車菊） Scientific name:Centaurea macrocephala
[Overview]
A perennial about 1 m tall.
In its native habitat, large plants are said to reach as much as 170 cm.
The stem is thick and hollow.
The leaves are simple and alternate, oblong to lanceolate, and sometimes have coarse teeth.
A yellow flower head about 10 cm across is borne at the stem tip, consisting entirely of tubular florets.
The involucral bracts are in 8–12 rows, and brown bristles grow on their margins.
The fruit is an achene.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers sunny, well-drained soil.
It is best planted in a well-ventilated place.
Rainfall is sufficient unless summer brings a long spell of sunny weather and the soil becomes severely dry.
If an organic base fertilizer is applied, no further fertilizing is particularly necessary; if additional fertilizer is given, take care not to supply too much nitrogen and apply it sparingly.
Too much fertilizer makes the plant leggy and prone to falling over.
The plant grows tall, so set up stakes.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
