Cyanus montanus

Centaurea montana, the perennial cornflower, mountain cornflower, bachelor's button, montane knapweed or mountain bluet, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, endemic to Europe. It is widespread and common in the more southerly mountain ranges of Europe, but is rarer in the north. It escapes from gardens readily, and has thereby become established in the British Isles, Scandinavia and North America. This plant has become an invasive species in British Columbia, Canada.Centaurea montana grows in meadows and open woodland in the upper montane and sub-alpine zones, in basic areas. It grows to 30–70 centimetres (12–28 in) tall, and flowers mainly from May to August. Centaurea montana may be distinguished from other Centaurea species in the region by its usually entire leaves, and the blue-purple colour of the outermost ray florets. It may be distinguished from the cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, by having a single (rarely up to three) flower heads, and by its being perennial, whereas the cornflower has many flower heads and is annual. The closely related C. triumfettii has more narrowly winged stems, narrower leaves and grows in rockier areas.

Characteristics

Plant Type

Herb

Life Cycle

Perennial, Annual

Genus

Cyanus

Family

Compositae

Hardiness Zone

5-9

Mature Height

30 cm to 61 cm

Mature Spread

30 cm to 61 cm

Leaf Color

Green, Gray

Leaf Type

Deciduous

Flower Color

Blue, Purple

Flower Size

5.08 cm

Bloom Time

Late spring, Early summer

Planting Time

Spring, Summer

Harvest Time

Mid summer

Native Area

Russia, Norway, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Netherlands, France, Poland, Ireland, United Kingdom, Croatia, Slovenia, Belgium, Serbia

Tags (9)

Common Names (9)