low cornflower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• low cornflower
• Iranian Knapweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cyanus depressus
• Centaurea depressa var. amasiana
• Centaurea anatolica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Centaurea depressa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Centaurea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence can be recorded in both Belgium and Germany. Moving toward the west, the species is also found throughout Southwestern Europe, specifically within France and Spain. Additionally, its range extends into Southeastern Europe, where it is documented in Bulgaria. Together, these locations illustrate the wide-ranging habitat of Centaurea depressa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Centaurea depressa is characterized by its ability to thrive across diverse landscapes, ranging from disturbed anthropogenic environments to rugged natural terrains. It is commonly found inhabiting crop fields, old fields, and ruderal sites, indicating a high tolerance for nutrient-rich or disturbed soils, as well as occupying mountainous regions. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, establishing itself at elevations as low as 400 m AMSL and extending its range up to a maximum of 3300 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

3300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, mountains, old fields, ruderal sites

Life history

The life history of Centaurea depressa is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the plant functions as a therophyte, meaning it completes its reproductive cycle using ephemeral above-ground structures that die back after the growing season, leaving the plant to survive through dormant stages. This therophytic life form is consistent across its biological classification, ensuring its survival within its specific ecological niche through these specialized seasonal growth patterns.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Centaurea depressa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species, lacking any climbing or vine-like tendencies, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial habitat. In terms of its physical dimensions, the plant exhibits a relatively low profile, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Centaurea depressa is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and highly consistent seed production metrics. The flowering period for this species typically begins in April and concludes in August, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. During the reproductive phase, the plant produces seeds with a very uniform mass; the mean, maximum, and minimum seed mass are all recorded at 0.0132 g, indicating a lack of significant variance in the weight of individual seeds produced.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Seed mass mean:

0.0132 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Centaurea depressa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include COSMOSIIN, Nicotiflorin, apigenin, protocatechuic acid, quinic acid.

COSMOSIIN

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Nicotiflorin

1. Journal of food biochemistry

apigenin

1. Journal of food biochemistry

protocatechuic acid

1. Journal of food biochemistry

quinic acid

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Activities

Centaurea depressa has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Antioxidant

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Preparations

Centaurea depressa has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract.

Methanolic extract

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS