Centaurea
Centaurea
Centaurea (pronounced: sen-taw-ree-uh) is a genus of between 350 and 600 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich.
Etymology
The name Centaurea is derived from the Greek mythological centaur Chiron, who is said to have used the plant to heal wounds.
Description
Centaurea plants have a variety of forms, from annual and biennial herbs to perennials and small shrubs. The leaves are usually alternate, simple to pinnately lobed, and their flowers, often showy heads of purple, blue, white or yellow, are produced in dense inflorescences.
Species
Some of the well-known species of Centaurea include Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower), Centaurea nigra (Knapweed), and Centaurea solstitialis (Yellow Star-thistle).
Uses
Centaurea species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species. Some species have been used in traditional medicine, and some are cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens.
Related Terms
- Asteraceae: The family to which Centaurea belongs.
- Chiron: The Greek mythological centaur associated with the etymology of Centaurea.
- Centaurea cyanus: A species of Centaurea, commonly known as Cornflower.
- Centaurea nigra: A species of Centaurea, commonly known as Knapweed.
- Centaurea solstitialis: A species of Centaurea, commonly known as Yellow Star-thistle.
- Lepidoptera: An order of insects whose larvae use Centaurea as food plants.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Centaurea
- Wikipedia's article - Centaurea
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