Centaurea sinaica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Calcitrapa sinaica
• Centaurea arabica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Asterales and is a member of the family Asteraceae. Specifically, it is identified by its genus, Centaurea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning parts of Northern Africa and Western Asia. In Northern Africa, its presence is primarily documented within the borders of Egypt. Moving into Western Asia, the species can be found across the territories of Iraq and the Lebanon-Syria region. It is also naturally occurring throughout Palestine. Finally, its range extends into the unique landscape of the Sinai Peninsula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Centaurea sinaica is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological development—from seed germination to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. As an annual species, it lacks the ability to survive through multiple years, instead focusing its metabolic energy on rapid growth and reproductive success during its favorable seasonal window. Following the germination of seeds in the soil, the plant establishes itself, develops its vegetative structure, and proceeds to produce inflorescences to facilitate pollination. Once the reproductive phase is complete and seeds are dispersed, the individual plant dies, ensuring that the continuation of the species relies entirely on the viability of the seed bank for the subsequent growing season.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Centaurea sinaica is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb, typically exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its vegetative parts. It functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic tendencies toward other plants. In terms of its habitat and physical orientation, the plant is terrestrial in nature, and it maintains a self-supporting habit rather than behaving as a climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Centaurea sinaica is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that dictates its reproductive availability. The flowering period for this species typically commences in March, marking the beginning of its reproductive phase. This period continues through the spring and early summer months, eventually reaching its conclusion in July. Because environmental conditions can influence these biological processes, the exact timing of the flowering onset and offset can remain variable, though it generally adheres to this March-to-July window.

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Jul

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Centaurea sinaica has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antitumor.

Antibacterial

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Antimicrobial

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Antitumor

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Preparations

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

Methanolic extracts

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM