Centaurea triumfettii, the squarrose knapweed, is a species of plant belonging to the genus Centaurea of the family Asteraceae.

Centaurea triumfettii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Centaurea
Species:
C. triumfettii
Binomial name
Centaurea triumfettii
All.
Synonyms
  • Centaurea squarrosa Willd.
  • Centaurea virgata Lam.
  • Centaurea virgata var. squarrosa (Willd.) Boiss.
  • Cyanus triumfettii (All.) Å. Löve & D. Löve
  • Centaurea triumfetti

Description edit

The squarrose knapweed is an herbaceous perennial plant. This plant grows to a height of about 30–60 centimetres (12–24 in). The leaves are undivided and narrow-lanceolate. The period of flowering is from May until August. The inner flowers are bright purple, the outer ones are azure blue or deep mauve.

 
Flower head of Centaurea triumfettii
 
Flower head of Centaurea triumfettii

Distribution edit

This species occurs in Afghanistan, Armenia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey Turkmenistan and United States.

Habitat edit

Centaurea triumfettii prefers dry and sunny places, in deciduous bushes, on meadows and subalpine grass slopes. The soil should be chalky. The species thrives at altitudes up to 2000 m above sea level. It is widespread in the mountains of southern and central Europe. Occasionally they are found as ornamental plants in gardens and parks.

References edit

  • Zipcodezoo
  • Euro+Med PlantBase - The information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity Centaurea
  • Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia (3 vol.) - Edagricole – 1982, pag. 205 vol III

External links edit