Cornflower

Names and Synonyms

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

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• 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

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Centaurea cyanus is characterized by its ability to colonize a broad vertical spectrum of environments, spanning from sea level up to an elevation of 1400 m AMSL. While the specified range suggests a significant presence across various altitudes, the mean elevation for its occurrence is recorded at 2620 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptability to diverse topographical conditions. In terms of preferred environments, the species thrives in disturbed or accessible landscapes, frequently inhabiting open areas and roadsides where sunlight is abundant and competition from dense forest cover is minimal.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2620 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

(?) open, roadside

Life history

The life history of Centaurea cyanus is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire biological cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable periods of its environment by producing seeds that remain dormant until conditions become suitable for the next generation, rather than maintaining any above-ground vegetative structures. Throughout its active growth phase, the plant exhibits an evergreen nature, maintaining its foliage during its developmental period. This specific life history strategy allows it to rapidly exploit seasonal resources to ensure successful reproduction before the onset of senescence.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Centaurea cyanus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a parasite, growing as an independent organism. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte. The plant's stature is relatively modest, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.57 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.572666666666667 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Centauria cyanus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on autotrophic nutrition through sunlight and soil nutrients rather than the capture of prey. Its foliar morphology shows significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 11 cm, maintaining a mean length of 6.5 cm. The leaves are relatively narrow, exhibiting a mean width of 0.6 cm, with widths fluctuating between a minimum of 0.2 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of 4.88 cm². Furthermore, the plant demonstrates a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 210.6 cm²/g, reflecting the structural density and resource allocation strategy of its leaf tissues.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf size mean:

4.88 cm²

Leaf width max:

0.8 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.6 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

210.6 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Centaurea cyanus is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle facilitated by biotic pollination syndromes, specifically involving insects such as bees. The flowering period begins in June and extends through October. During this process, self-fertilization is present, ensuring reproductive success. The plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes. These fruits are consistently small, measuring approximately 0.3 cm in length and 0.15 cm in width. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit a mean mass of 0.005602154 g, with a range spanning from a minimum of 0.002333 g to a maximum of 0.0057 g, and a uniform seed volume of 3.9 mm³. Following maturation, the dispersal syndrome is anemochorous, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by the wind. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.15 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0057 g

Seed mass mean:

0.005602154 g

Seed mass min:

0.002333 g

Seed volume max:

3.9 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Centaurea cyanus has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, root, seed.

Flower

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Root

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Seed

1. Phytochemistry

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.

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

Apigenin 4'-O-beta-D-glucoside

1. Dr. Duke

Apigenin 7-glucoside

1. Dr. Duke

Arnidiol

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Caryophyllene

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Centaur X

1. Dr. Duke

Centcyamine

1. Phytochemistry

Cichoriin

1. 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.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Glucosidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Centaurea cyanus has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extract.

Methanol extract

1. Phytochemistry