Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (453 studies) · ★★★★★
Cornflower, scientifically known as Centaurea cyanus, is a vibrant wildflower celebrated for its striking azure petals. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this botanical gem has long been utilized in traditional medicine. Renowned for its soothing properties, it is frequently employed to support eye health and reduce various inflammatory conditions.
Names
Common Names
- bachelor's button
- bluebonnets
- bluebottle
- cornflower
- garden cornflower
- bachelor's-button
- blaver
- blue-poppy
- brushes
- corn-pinks
- hurtsickle
- thimbles
- witch's-bells
- Batchelor's-Button
- Različak
- annual cornflower
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Clavelones azules
- Lindita
- Centaurea rhizocephala
- Aciano menor
- Centaurea pulcherrima
- Peranzules
- Granera
- Aziano
- Azulejo
- Cyaneo
- Azuleño
- Flor de cielo montañesa
- Azulina
- Flor de cielo española
- Farolitos de la Virgen
- Aciano
- Pincel
- aciano
German:
- Kornblume
- Zyane
- Cyanus segetum
- Korn-Flockenblume
- centaurée bleuet
- Kornblume
- Korn-Flockenblume
French:
- bleuet des champs
- Casse-lunettes
- Centaurée bleuet
- Bleuet des champs
- bleuet
- barbeau
- bleuet
- bluet
- casse lunette
- centaurée bleuet
- centaurée bluet
- Bleuet des champs
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Centaurea cyanusSynonyms
- Centaurea umbrosa
- Leucacantha cyanus
- Setachna cyanus
- Centaurea cyanus var. denudata
- Centaurea rhizocephala
- Centaurea pulchra
- Centaurea hoffmanniana
- Centaurea cyanocephala
- Cyanus vulgaris
- Jacea segetalis
- Jacea segetum
- Centaurea hortorum
- Centaurea cyanus subsp. coa
- Cyanus arvensis
- Cyanus cyanus
- Cyanus segetum
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Centaurea cyanus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and falls under the genus Centaurea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Centaurea | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, known as Centaurea cyanus, exhibits a specific range across the northern reaches of the continent. Its distribution is clearly established throughout various regions of Northern Europe. Specifically, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. The species is also documented within the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, its presence extends into the northernmost reaches of Norway.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the cornflower, is a beautiful species where various elements contribute to its botanical profile. The entire organism is categorized among various annual herbs, characterized by its slender stems and vibrant foliage. The most striking feature of the plant is its bright blue flowers, which are organized into complex, showy inflorescents that attract pollinators. Once the blooming period concludes, the plant produces small seeds that facilitate the next generation of growth. While much of its aesthetic value lies above ground, the roots serve as the essential foundation, anchoring the plant and absorbing necessary nutrients from the soil.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| flower | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Acta poloniae pharmaceutica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Centaurea cyanus has 63 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ALUMINUM, Apigenin 4'-O-beta-D-glucoside, Apigenin 7-glucoside, Arnidiol, BETA-SITOSTEROL.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| ALUMINUM | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Apigenin 4'-O-beta-D-glucoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Apigenin 7-glucoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Arnidiol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CHLOROGENIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Caryophyllene | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Centaur X | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Centcyamine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cichoriin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
ALUMINUM
- Dr. Duke
Apigenin 4'-O-beta-D-glucoside
- Dr. Duke
Apigenin 7-glucoside
- Dr. Duke
Arnidiol
- Dr. Duke
BETA-SITOSTEROL
- Dr. Duke
CHLOROGENIC ACID
- Dr. Duke
Caryophyllene
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Centaur X
- Dr. Duke
Centcyamine
- Phytochemistry
Cichoriin
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Centaurea cyanus has 376 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor, Acidulant, Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 11B-HSD-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ATPase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acidulant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelochemic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelopathic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alpha-Glucosidase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| methanol extract | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |