Centaurea

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Cladus: Campanulids
Ordo: Asterales

Familia: Asteraceae
Subfamilia: Carduoideae
Tribus: Cardueae
Subtribus: Centaureinae
Genus: Centaurea
Subgenera: C. subg. Centaurea – C. subg. Cyanus – C. subg. Lopholoma
Overview of species
a

C. acaulis – C. achaia – C. achilleifolia – C. achtarovii – C. acicularis – C. acmophylla – C. aegyptiaca – C. aeolica – C. aetaliae – C. aetolica – C. affinis – C. aggregata – C. aguilellae – C. ahverdovii – C. ainetensis – C. akamantis – C. akmanii – C. aksoyi – C. akroteriensis – C. aladaghensis – C. alaica – C. alba – C. albertii – C. albofimbriata – C. albonitens – C. alexandrina – C. alfonsoii – C. alibeyana – C. alveicola – C. amadanensis – C. amaena – C. amanicola – C. amanosensis – C. ambigua – C. amblensis – C. ammocyanus – C. androssovii – C. ankarica – C. antalyensis – C. antennata – C. anthemifolia – C. antiochia – C. antitauri – C. aphrodisea – C. aplolepa – C. appendicata – C. arachnoidea – C. ardabalica – C. arenaria – C. argentea – C. arifolia – C. aristata – C. armena – C. arrigonii – C. ascalonica – C. aspera – C. aspromontana – C. assadii – C. athoa – C. atlantica – C. atlantis – C. atropurpurea – C. attica – C. aucheri – C. auriculata – C. austracoides – C. austroanatolica – C. avilae – C. aytugiana – C. aziziana
b

C. babylonica – C. bachtiarica – C. baldaccii – C. baseri – C. bavegehensis – C. beckiana – C. behen – C. benedicta – C. besseriana – C. bethurica – C. bimorpha – C. bingoelensis – C. biokovensis – C. blancheana – C. bofilliana – C. boissieri – C. bojnordensis – C. bombycina – C. borjae – C. borysthenica – C. bourgaei – C. bovina – C. breviceps – C. bruguierana – C. brulla – C. bugellensis – C. busambarensis
c

C. cadmea – C. calabra – C. calcitrapa – C. caliacrae – C. calocephala – C. calolepis – C. camelorum – C. cankiriensis – C. caprina – C. carduiformis – C. cariensiformis – C. cariensis – C. caroli-henrici – C. carolipauana – C. carratracensis – C. carystea – C. caspia – C. cassia – C. castellana – C. castellano-manchensis – C. castellanoides – C. cataonica – C. cavanillesiana – C. centauroides – C. ceratophylla – C. chalcidicaea – C. chaldaeorum – C. charrelii – C. cheiranthifolia – C. cheirolepidoides – C. cheirolopha – C. chrysantha – C. chrysocephala – C. chrysolepis – C. cineraria – C. cithaeronea – C. citricolor – C. clementei – C. codringtonii – C. codruensis – C. collina – C. conocephala – C. consanguinea – C. corbariensis – C. cordubensis – C. corensis – C. coronata – C. corymbosa – C. coziensis – C. cristata – C. crithmifolia – C. crocata – C. cuneifolia – C. cuspidata – C. cyanoides – C. cyanomorpha – C. cyanus – C. cylindrocephala – C. cyprensis – C. cyrenaica
d

C. dalmatica – C. damascena – C. daralagoezica – C. davisii – C. debdouensis – C. debeauxii – C. decipiens – C. deflexa – C. degeniana – C. degenianiformis – C. delbesiana – C. delicatula – C. delucae – C. demetrii – C. demirizii – C. demirkapiensis – C. depressa – C. derderiifolia – C. derventana – C. deustiformis – C. dhofarica – C. dichroa – C. dichroantha – C. diffusa – C. diluta – C. diomedea – C. djebel-amouri – C. doddsii – C. dolopica – C. donetzica – C. doumerguei – C. drabifolia – C. drabifolioides – C. drenovensis – C. dubjanskyi – C. ducellieri – C. dumanii – C. dumulosa – C. dursunbeyensis
e

C. ebenoides – C. eclipsislunae – C. edith-mariae – C. eflanensis – C. elazigensis – C. elbrusensis – C. elegantissima – C. eliasii – C. elymaitica – C. emigrantis – C. emiliae – C. emporitana – C. ensiformis – C. epapposa – C. epirota – C. erinacella – C. eriophora – C. ertugruliana – C. erycina – C. eryngioides – C. esfandiarii – C. euboica – C. euxina – C. exarata
f

C. fabregatii – C. farsistanica – C. fenzlii – C. ferox – C. filiformis – C. finazzeri – C. flosculosa – C. forsythiana – C. foucauldiana – C. foveolata – C. fragilis – C. friderici – C. furfuracea – C. fuscomarginata – C. fusiformis
g

C. gabrielae – C. gabrielis-blancae – C. gabrieljanae – C. gadorensis – C. galicicae – C. gattefossei – C. geluensis – C. genesii-lopezii – C. gerberi – C. gerhardii – C. germanicopolitana – C. ghahremanii – C. giardinae – C. gigantea – C. glaberrima – C. glastifolia – C. globurensis – C. glomerata – C. gloriosa – C. goerkii – C. goksivriensis – C. golestanica – C. gontscharovii – C. gracilenta – C. graeca – C. granatensis – C. grbavacensis – C. greuteri – C. grisebachii – C. gubanovii – C. gudrunensis – C. gulissashwilii – C. gussonei – C. gymnocarpa
h

C. hadacii – C. haenseleri – C. hakkariensis – C. halophila – C. handelii – C. hanryi – C. haradjianii – C. haussknechtii – C. haynaldiiformis – C. hekimhanensis – C. heldreichii – C. helenioides – C. hellwigii – C. heratensis – C. hermannii – C. herminii – C. hervierii – C. heterocarpa – C. hierapolitana – C. hohenackeri – C. hololeuca – C. homoeoscevos – C. horrida – C. huetii – C. huljakii – C. hyalolepis – C. hymettia – C. hyrcanica – C. hyssopifolia
i

C. iberica – C. ibn-tattouii – C. idaea – C. ilvensis – C. immanuelis-loewii – C. imperialis – C. incompleta – C. incompta – C. indistincta – C. inermis – C. inexpectata – C. inexpugnabilis – C. infestans – C. integrans – C. intricata – C. involucrata – C. ionica – C. ipecensis – C. iranshahrii – C. irritans – C. isaurica – C. ispahanica
j

C. jacea – C. jaennensis – C. janeri – C. jankae – C. jankaeana – C. japygica – C. jeffreyana – C. jiroftensis – C. joharchii – C. johnseniana – C. jordaniana – C. josiae – C. joviniana – C. jurineifolia
k

C. kabirkuhensis – C. kalambakensis – C. kamyaranensis – C. kandavanensis – C. kanitziana – C. karamianiae – C. kartschiana – C. karvandarensis – C. kavadarensis – C. kaynakiae – C. kemulariae – C. kermanshahensis – C. kerneriana – C. khuzistanica – C. kilaea – C. kirmacii – C. kizildaghensis – C. kleinii – C. kochiana – C. koeieana – C. kofinasii – C. konkae – C. kosaninii – C. kotschyana – C. kotschyi – C. kozjakensis – C. kultiassovii – C. kunkelii – C. kupcsokiana – C. kurdica – C. kusanii
l

C. lacaitae – C. lacerata – C. lachnopus – C. laconica – C. lactiflora – C. lactucifolia – C. lagascana – C. lainzii – C. lancifolia – C. langei – C. lanigera – C. lanulata – C. lasiopoda – C. latiloba – C. laureotica – C. lavrenkoana – C. laxa – C. legionis-septimae – C. leonidia – C. leptophylla – C. leucadea – C. leucomalla – C. leucomelaena – C. leucophaea – C. limbata – C. linifolia – C. litardierei – C. litigiosa – C. litochorea – C. longifimbriata – C. longipedunculata – C. longispina – C. loscosii – C. luristanica – C. luschaniana – C. lycaonica – C. lycopifolia – C. lycia – C. lycopifolia – C. lydia
m

C. macedonica – C. macroacantha – C. macrocephala – C. macroptilon – C. magistrorum – C. magocsyana – C. maireana – C. majorovii – C. malatyensis – C. malinvaldiana – C. mannagettae – C. maramarosiensis – C. marashica – C. margaritacea – C. margaritalba – C. mariana – C. marmorea – C. maroccana – C. matthiolifolia – C. mayeri – C. melanocalathia – C. melanocephala – C. melanosticta – C. melitensis – C. mengenensis – C. mersinensis – C. mesopotamica – C. messenicolasiana – C. micevskii – C. micracantha – C. micrantha – C. microcarpa – C. microcnicus – C. microlonchoides – C. microlopha – C. molesworthiae – C. mollis – C. monodii – C. montaltensis – C. montana – C. monticola – C. montis-borlae – C. mouterdei – C. movlavia – C. mucurensis – C. murbeckii – C. musakii – C. musarum – C. musilii – C. musimomum
n

C. nana – C. napifolia – C. napulifera – C. neiceffii – C. nemecii – C. nemoralis – C. nerimaniae – C. nervosa – C. nevadensis – C. nicolai – C. niederi – C. nigerica – C. nigra – C. nigrescens – C. nigrofimbria – C. nivea – C. nobilis – C. noguerensis – C. nydeggeri – C. nyssaria
o

C. obtusifolia – C. obtusiloba, C. – C. occasus – C. ochrocephala – C. odessana – C. odyssei – C. ognjanoffii – C. oltensis – C. olympica – C. omphalodes – C. onopordifolia – C. oranensis – C. orbelica – C. orientalis – C. oriolii-bolosii – C. ornata – C. orphanidea – C. oscensis – C. osmaniyensis – C. ossaea – C. ouramanica – C. ovina – C. oxylepis
p

C. pabotii – C. paczoskii – C. pallescens – C. pamphylica – C. pangaea – C. paniculata – C. panormitana – C. paphlagonica – C. papposa – C. paredensis – C. pardica – C. parilica – C. parlatoris – C. parviflora – C. patula – C. paui – C. pauneroi – C. pawlowskii – C. paxorum – C. pectinata – C. pelia – C. pentadactyli – C. perrottetii – C. persica – C. pestalotii – C. pestalozzae – C. peucedanifolia – C. phaeolepis – C. phlomoides – C. phrygia – C. phyllopoda – C. pichleri – C. pinae – C. pinardii – C. pindicola – C. pineticola – C. pinetorum – C. pinillosis – C. pinnata – C. pinnatifida – C. poculatoris – C. podospermifolia – C. poeltiana – C. polyclada – C. polymorpha – C. polyphylla – C. polypodiifolia – C. pomeliana – C. pontica – C. posttii – C. pottii – C. praecox – C. prespana – C. princeps – C. procurrens – C. prolongi – C. protogerberi – C. protomargaritacea – C. pseudoaxillaris – C. pseudobovina – C. pseudocadmea – C. pseudodegeniana – C. pseudokotschyi – C. pseudoleucolepis – C. pseudomaculosa – C. magocsyana – C. pseudoreflexa – C. pseudoscabiosa – C. pseudosinaica – C. psilacantha – C. ptarmicifolia – C. pterocaula – C. ptosimopappa – C. ptosimopappoides – C. pubescens – C. pugioniformis – C. pulchella – C. pullata – C. pulvinata – C. pungens
r

C. radichii – C. ragusina – C. rahimenijadii – C. raimondoi – C. raphanina – C. ravanzarensis – C. rechingeri – C. redempta – C. reducta – C. reflexa – C. regia – C. reichenbachii – C. resupinata – C. reuteriana – C. rhaetica – C. rhizantha – C. rhizanthoides – C. rhizocalathium – C. rigida – C. rivasmateoi – C. ropalon – C. rothmalerana – C. rouyi – C. rufidula – C. rumelica – C. rupestris – C. rutifolia
s

C. saccensis – C. sagredoi – C. sakarensis – C. sakariyaensis – C. saligna – C. salmasensis – C. salonitana – C. samothracica – C. sanandajensis – C. sarandinakiae – C. sarfattiana – C. savranica – C. saxicola – C. saxifraga – C. scabiosa – C. scannensis – C. schimperi – C. schmidii – C. schousboei – C. scillae – C. sclerolepis – C. scoparia – C. scopulorum – C. scripczinskyi – C. semijusta – C. senegalensis – C. sennikoviana – C. seguenzae – C. sericea – C. seridis – C. serowensis – C. serpentinica – C. shauhensis – C. shehbazii – C. shouilea – C. sicana – C. sicula – C. sieheana – C. similata – C. simonkaiana – C. simulans – C. sinaica – C. sintenisiana – C. sipylea – C. sirdjanica – C. sivasica – C. skopjensis – C. solitaria – C. solstitialis – C. sophiae – C. soriana – C. speciosa – C. spectabilis – C. sphaerocephala – C. spicata – C. spinosa – C. spinosociliata – C. spruneri – C. spuria – C. stapfiana – C. stereophylla – C. sterilis – C. steveniana – C. stevenii – C. stoebe – C. stuessyi – C. subjacea – C. subsericans – C. subtilis – C. sulphurea – C. sussanae – C. szovitsiana
t

C. tabriziana – C. tadshicorum – C. takhtajanii – C. takredensis – C. tardiflora – C. tauromenitana – C. tauscheri – C. tchihatcheffii – C. tenacissima – C. tenoreana – C. tenorei – C. thasia – C. theryi – C. thessala – C. thirkei – C. thracica – C. thuillieri – C. toletana – C. tomentella – C. tommasinii – C. tomorosii – C. torreana – C. tossiensis – C. tougourensis – C. trachonitica – C. transcaucasica – C. treskana – C. triamularia – C. trichocephala – C. triniifolia – C. tripontina – C. triumfettii – C. tuntasia – C. turhanii – C. turkestanica – C. tuzgoluensis – C. tymphaea
u

C. ugamica – C. ulrichiorum – C. ultreiae – C. uniflora – C. urgellensis – C. urvillei – C. ustulata – C. uysalii
v

C. valesiaca – C. vandasii – C. vanensis – C. vankovii – C. variegata – C. varnensis – C. vatevii – C. vavilovii – C. veneris – C. vermia – C. vermiculigera – C. verutum – C. vesceritensis – C. virgata – C. visianiana – C. vlachorum
w

C. wagenitzii – C. wendelboi – C. werneri – C. wettsteinii – C. wiedemanniana – C. wolgensis – C. woronowii
x

C. xaveri – C. xerolepida – C. xylobasis
y

C. yaltirikii – C. yemensis – C. yozgatensis
z

C. zaferii – C. zagrosmontana – C. zangulensis – C. zarrei – C. zeybekii – C. ziganensis – C. zlatarskyana – C. zuccariniana
Nothospecies:

C. × aurata – C. × moncktonii

C. albonitens - C. americana - C. antennata - C. antiochia - C. appendicigera - C. aspera - C. atacamensis - - C. calcitrapa - - C. diffusa - C. jacea - - C. macrocephala - - C. virgata

Name

Centaurea L., Sp. Pl. 2: 909 (1753), Gen. Pl., ed. 5: 389 (1754), nom. cons.

Lectotype species: Centaurea paniculata L. typ. cons., proposed by Greuter et al., Taxon 50: 1201 (2001)
Rejected lectotype: Centaurea centaurium L. (designated by N.L. Britton & A. Brown, Ill. Fl. N. U. S. ed. 2. 3: 556 (1913))

Synonyms

Heterotypic
Acosta DC., Prodr. 5: 90 (1836).
Acrocentron Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 37 (1826).
Acrolophus Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 50: 253 (1827).
Alophium Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 54: 493 (1829).
Ammocyanus (Boiss.) Dostál, Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 19: 78 (1973).
Antaurea Neck., Elem. Bot. 1: 70 (1790).
Behen Hill, Veg. Syst. 4: 41 (1762).
Benedicta Bernh., Syst. Verz. Erf.: 108 (1800).
Calcitrapa Heist. ex Fabr., Enum.: 94 (1759).
Calcitrapoides Fabr., Enum.: 94 (1759).
Carbeni Adans., Fam. Pl. 2: 116, 532 (1763).
Carbenia Adans., Fam. Pl. 2: 116 (1763).
Cardosanctus Bubani, Fl. Pyren. 2: 152 (1899).
Centaurium Haller, Hist. Stirp. Helv. 1: 69 (1768).
Cestrinus Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 8: 24 (1817).
Chartolepis Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 36 (1826).
Cheirolepis Boiss., Diagn. Pl. Orient. 10: 106 (1849).
Chryseis Cass., Dict. Sc. Nat. 7: 377, 9: 154 (1817).
Chrysopappus Takht., Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 7: 275 (1938).
Cistrum Hill, Veg. Syst. 4: 36 (1762).
Cnicus L., Sp. Pl.: 826 (1753).
Colymbada Hill, Veg. Syst. 4: 31 (1762).
Crepula Hill, Veg. Syst. 4: 9 (1762).
Cyanus Mill., Gard. Dict. Abr., ed. 4.: s.p. (1754).
Cynaroides (Boiss. ex Walp.) Dostál, Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 19: 77 (1973).
Eremopappus Takht., Dokl. Akad. Nauk Armyanskoi S.S.R. 2(1): 25 (1945).
Erinacella (Rech.f.) Dostál, Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 19: 77 (1973).
Eriopha Hill, Hort. Kew.: 69 (1769).
Grossheimia Sosn. & Takht., Dokl. Akad. Nauk Armyanskoi S.S.R. 3(1): 22 (1945).
Halocharis M.Bieb. ex DC., Prod. 6: 665 (1837).
Heraclea Hill, Veg. Syst. 4: 37 (1762).
Hierapicra Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 346 (1891).
Hippophaestum Gray, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 443 (1821).
Hookia Neck., Elem. Bot. 1: 70 (1790).
Hyalea (DC.) Jaub. & Spach, Ill. Pl. Orient. 3(21-23): 19 (1847).
Hymenocentron Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 37 (1826).
Jacea Mill., Gard. Dict. Abr., ed. 4.: s.p. (1754).
Lepteranthus Neck. ex Fourr., Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, sér. 2, 17: 96 (1869).
Leucacantha Nieuwl. & Lunell, Amer. Midl. Naturalist 5: 71 (1917).
Leucantha Gray, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 443 (1821).
Lopholoma Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 37 (1826).
Malacocephalus Tausch, Flora, 11(2): 481 (1828).
Melanoloma Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 29: 472 (1823).
Menomphalus Pomel, Nouv. Mat. Fl. Atl.: 32 (1874).
Mesocentron Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 38 (1826).
Microlophus Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 37 (1826).
Pachycentron Pomel, Nouv. Mat. Fl. Atl. 32 (1874).
Paraphysis (DC.) Dostál, Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 19: 76 (1973).
Pectinastrum Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 38 (1826).
Petrodavisia Holub, Folia Geobot. Phytotax. 10: 193 (1975).
Phaeopappus (DC.) Boiss., Diagn. Pl. Orient. 6: 122 (1846).
Phalolepis Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 50: 248 (1827).
Philostizus Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 39: 498 (1826).
Phrygia (Pers.) Gray, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 441 (1821).
Piptoceras Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 50: 469 (1827).
Platylophus Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 36 (1826).
Plumosipappus Czerep., Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 20: 457 (1960).
Podia Neck., Elem. Bot. 1: 72 (1790).
Polyacantha Gray, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 443 (1821).
Psora Hill, Veg. Syst. 4: 30 (1762).
Pterolophus Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 34 (1826).
Ptosimopappus Boiss., Voy. Bot. Espagne, 2: 739 (1845).
Pycnocomus Hill, Veg. Syst. 4: 38 (1762).
Rhacoma Adans., Fam. Pl. 2: 117 (1763).
Rhaponticum Ludw., Inst. Reg. Veg., ed. 2: 123 (1757).
Sagmen Hill, Veg. Syst. 4: 35 (1762).
Seridia Juss., Gen. Pl.: 173 (1789).
Setachna Dulac, Fl. Hautes-Pyrénées: 518 (1867).
Solstitiaria Hill, Veg. Syst. 4: 21 (1762).
Sphaerocephala Hill, Veg. Syst. 4: 48 (1762).
Spilacron Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 50: 238 (1827).
Staebe Hill, Veg. Syst. 3: 145 (1761).
Stenolophus Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 35 (1826).
Stephanochilus Coss. ex Maire, Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afrique N. 26: 24 (1935).
Tetramorphaea DC., Arch. Bot. (Paris) 2: 331 (1833).
Tomanthea DC., Prodr. 6: 564 (1838).
Triplocentron Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 38 (1826).
Veltis Adans., Fam. Pl. 2: 116 (1763).
Verutina Cass., Dict. Sci. Nat., ed. 2. 44: 38 (1826).
Wagenitzia Dostál, Acta Bot. Acad. Sci. Hung. 19: 76 (1973).
× Acostitrapa Rauschert, Feddes Repert. 83: 655 (1973).
× Colycea Fern.Casas & Susanna, Fontqueria 2: 21 (1982).
× Colymbacosta Rauschert, Feddes Repert. 83: 656 (1973).
× Jaceacosta Rauschert, Feddes Repert. 83: 655 (1973).
× Jaceitrapa Rauschert, Feddes Repert. 83: 656 (1973).

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Europe
Regional: Northern Europe
Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway, Sweden.
Regional: Middle Europe
Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland.
Regional: Southwestern Europe
Baleares, Corse, France, Portugal, Sardegna, Spain.
Regional: Southeastern Europe
Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Kriti, Romania, Sicilia, Turkey-in-Europe, Yugoslavia.
Regional: Eastern Europe
Belarus, Baltic States, Krym, Central European Russia, East European Russia, North European Russia, South European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Ukraine.
Continental: Africa
Regional: Northern Africa
Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Western Sahara.
Regional: Macaronesia
Azores, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira, Selvagens.
Regional: West Tropical Africa
Benin, Burkina, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal, Togo.
Regional: West-Central Tropical Africa
Burundi, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Zaire.
Regional: Northeast Tropical Africa
Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan.
Regional: East Tropical Africa
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda.
Regional: South Tropical Africa
Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Regional: Southern Africa
Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Northern Provinces.
Continental: Asia-Temperate
Regional: Siberia
Altay, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Tuva, West Siberia, Yakutskiya.
Regional: Russian Far East
Amur, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Kuril Islands, Magadan, Primorye, Sakhalin.
Regional: Middle Asia
Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tadzhikistan, Uzbekistan.
Regional: Caucasus
North Caucasus, Transcaucasus.
Regional: Western Asia
Afghanistan, Cyprus, East Aegean Islands, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon-Syria, Palestine, Sinai, Turkey.
Regional: Arabian Peninsula
Gulf States, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen.
Regional: China
Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang.
Regional: Mongolia
Mongolia.
Regional: Eastern Asia
Korea.
Continental: Asia-Tropical
Regional: Indian Subcontinent
East Himalaya, India, Nepal, Pakistan, West Himalaya.
Regional: Indo-China
Vietnam.
Regional: Malesia
Jawa.
Continental: Australasia
Regional: Australia
Norfolk Islands, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia.
Continental: Pacific
Regional: Southwestern Pacific
New Caledonia.
Regional: North-Central Pacific
Hawaii.
Continental: Northern America
Regional: Subarctic America
Alaska, Greenland, Yukon.
Regional: Western Canada
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan.
Regional: Eastern Canada
New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec.
Regional: Northwestern U.S.A.
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming.
Regional: North-Central U.S.A.
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin.
Regional: Northeastern U.S.A.
Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia.
Regional: Southwestern U.S.A.
Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah.
Regional: South-Central U.S.A.
New Mexico, Texas.
Regional: Southeastern U.S.A.
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia.
Regional: Mexico
Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast.
Continental: Southern America
Regional: Central America
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras.
Regional: Caribbean
Cuba.
Regional: Northern South America
Venezuela.
Regional: Western South America
Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru.
Regional: Brazil
Brazil South.
Regional: Southern South America
Juan Fernández Islands, Uruguay.
Continental: Antarctic
Regional: Subantarctic Islands
Falkland Islands.
Note: Grey script indicates introduced occurrences.

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

Linnaeus, C. 1753. Species Plantarum. Tomus II: 909. Reference page.
Linnaeus, C. 1754. Genera Plantarum, ed. 5: 389. Reference page.

Additional references

Greuter, W. Wagenitz, G., Agababjan, M.V. & Hellwig, F.H. 2001. (1509) Proposal to conserve the name Centaurea (Compositae) with a conserved type. Taxon 50(4): 1201–1205. DOI: 10.2307/1224746 Paywall JSTOR Reference page.
Gennaio, R. & Manni, Q.G. 2020. Centaurea akroteriensis (Asteraceae), a new species discovered in Salento (Southern Apulia, Italy). Phytotaxa 436(3): 251–269. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.436.3.4Paywall Reference page.
Hilpold, A., Garcia-Jacas, N., Vilatersana, R. & Susanna, A. 2014. Taxonomical and nomenclatural notes on Centaurea: A proposal of classification, a description of new sections and subsections, and a species list of the redefined section Centaurea. Collectanea Botanica 33(e001): 1–29. DOI: 10.3989/collectbot.2013.v33.001 Open access ResearchGate Reference page.
Susanna, A. & Garcia-Jacas, N. 2009. Cardueae (Carduoideae). In Systematics, Evolution, and Biogeography of Compositae. Vienna: International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT). ISBN 978-3-9501754-3-1. pp.293-313. Reference page.
Şiri, E., Bozkurt, M., Uysal, T. Ertuğrul, K. 2019. Karyomorphological features of Turkish Centaurea (subgenus Cyanus, Asteraceae) species and its taxonomic importance. Turkish Journal of Botany 43(4): 538–550. DOI: 10.3906/bot-1811-28 Open access Reference page.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2023. Centaurea in Kew Science Plants of the World Online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2023 Apr 24. Reference page.
Tropicos.org 2023. Centaurea. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 24 Apr 2023.
International Plant Names Index. 2023. Centaurea. Published online. Accessed: 24 Apr 2023. Reference page.
Hassler, M. 2023. World Plants. Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of the World Flora. . Centaurea. Accessed: 24 Apr 2023.
Hassler, M. 2023. Centaurea. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2023. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published online. Accessed: 2023 Apr 24. Reference page.

Vernacular names
العربية: قنطريون
azərbaycanca: Göyçiçək, Cyanus, Güləvər, Plectocephalus
беларуская (тарашкевіца): Валошка
беларуская: Васілёк
български: Метличина
català: Centàurea
čeština: chrpa
чӑвашла: Утмăлтурат
dansk: Knopurt
Deutsch: Flockenblumen
English: Starthistles, Knapweeds
Esperanto: Centaŭreo
español: Solstitiaria, Centáurea
eesti: Jumikas
فارسی: گل گندم
suomi: Kaunokit
français: Centaurée
עברית: דרדר
hornjoserbsce: Stróžawka
magyar: imola
հայերեն: տերեփուկ
Ido: Centaureo
italiano: Centaurea
日本語: ヤグルマギク属, セントレア属, セントーレア, セントーレア属, ケンタウレア属, ケンタウレア
ქართული: ხახვისთავა
қазақша: Кекіре, Гүлкекіре
перем коми: Пӧлӧзнича, Пöлöзнича
lietuvių: Bajorė
norsk bokmål: Knoppurter, Knoppurt, Knoppurtslekten
Nederlands: Centaurie
norsk nynorsk: Knoppurtslekta
norsk: Knoppurter
polski: Chaber
русский: Василёк, Василек
slovenčina: nevädza
svenska: Klintsläktet, Klintar
українська: Волошка
中文（简体）: 矢车菊属
中文（繁體）: 矢車菊屬
中文（臺灣）: 矢車菊屬
中文: 矢車菊屬, 矢车菊属

List

Centaurea (/ˌsɛntɔːˈriːə/)[1] is a genus of over 700 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.
Common names

Common names for this genus are centaury, centory, starthistles, knapweeds, centaureas and the more ambiguous "bluets"; a vernacular name used for these plants in parts of England is "loggerheads" (common knapweed). The Plectocephalus group – possibly a distinct genus – is known as basketflowers. "Cornflower" is used for a few species, but that term more often specifically means either C. cyanus (the annual cornflower) or Centaurea montana (the perennial cornflower). The common name "centaury" is sometimes used, although this also refers to the unrelated plant genus Centaurium.[2]

The name is said to be in reference to Chiron, the centaur of Greek mythology who discovered medicinal uses of a plant eventually called "centaury".[3]
Description

Knapweeds are robust weedy plants. Their leaves, spiny in some species, are usually deeply divided into elongated lobes at least in the plants' lower part, becoming entire towards the top. The "flowers" (actually pseudanthium inflorescences) are diverse in colour, ranging from intense blues, reds and yellows to any mixture of these and lighter shades towards white. Often, the disk flowers are much darker or lighter than the ray flowers, which also differ in morphology and are sterile. Each pseudanthium sits atop a cup- or basket-like cluster of scaly bracts, hence the name "basketflowers". Many species, in particular those inhabiting more arid regions, have a long and strong taproot.
Common knapweed (C. nigra), perhaps the single most abundant Centaurea species of England
Centaurea tchihatcheffii (locally known as Yanardöner), a highly distinctive and rare knapweed endemic to Turkey
Ecology

Certain knapweeds have a tendency to dominate large stretches of landscape together with a few other plants, typically one or two grasses and as many other large herbaceous plants. The common knapweed (C. nigra) for example is plentiful in the mesotrophic grasslands of England and nearby regions. It is most prominently found in pastures or meadows dominated by cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata) as well as either of crested dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus) and false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius). It is also often found in mesotrophic grassland on rendzinas and similar calcareous soils in association with glaucous sedge (Carex flacca), sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina), and either tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum) and rough hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus), or upright brome (Bromus erectus). In these grasslands, greater knapweed (C. scabiosa) is found much more rarely by comparison, often in association with red fescue (Festuca rubra) in addition to cock's-foot and false oat-grass.

Due to their habit of dominating ecosystems under good conditions, many Centaurea species can become invasive weeds in regions where they are not native. In parts of North America, diffuse knapweed (C. diffusa), spotted knapweed (C. maculosa) and yellow starthistle (C. solstitialis) cause severe problems in agriculture due to their uncontrolled spread. The seeds are typically transported by human traffic, in particular the tires of all-terrain vehicles. The two knapweeds are harmful mainly because they are strongly allelopathic, producing powerful toxins in their roots that stunt the growth of plants around them not adapted to this.[4] Yellow starthistle, meanwhile, is inedible to most livestock due to its spines and apparently outright poisonous to horses and other equines. However, efficient methods of biological control by insect pests of these weeds have been developed; the knapweeds can also exploited to their detriment by targeted grazing. Controlled burning may also be used, though the timing is important to avoid the plants having seeded already, and neither allowing sufficient time for them to regrow from the rootstock.[5]

Yet other species of Centaurea – mostly ones that occur between Italy and the Caucasus – are endemics of a single island or valley, and some of these are endangered. The Akamas Centaurea (Centaurea akamantis) of Cyprus is almost extinct, while the western Caucasus endemics C. leptophylla and C. straminicephala are at least very rare and C. hedgei and C. pecho from the same region are certainly not abundant either. The last four species would be adversely affected by the proposed Yusufeli Dam, which might actually destroy enough habitat to push the two rarer ones over the brink of extinction.
Knapweed fritillary (Melitaea phoebe).
This butterfly can spend their entire lives living off a patch of brown knapweed (C. jacea).

Centaurea are copious nectar producers, especially on high-lime soils. The high nectar yield of the genus makes it very attractive to insects such as butterflies – including the endangered Karner blue (Plebejus melissa samuelis) which visits introduced spotted knapweed – and day-flying moths – typically Zygaenidae, such as Zygaena loti or the six-spot burnet (Z. filipendulae). The larvae of some other Lepidoptera species use Centaurea species as food plants; see List of Lepidoptera that feed on Centaurea. Several of these are used in biological control of invasive knapweeds and starthistles.

Larvae of several true weevils (Curculionidae) of the subfamily Lixinae also feed on Centaurea. Some genera – such as Larinus whose larval food is flowerheads – have many species especially adapted to particular knapweeds or starthistle and are used in biological control too. These include the yellow starthistle flower weevil (L. curtus) for yellow starthistle, lesser knapweed flower weevil (L. minutus) for diffuse knapweed and blunt knapweed flower weevil (L. obtusus) for spotted knapweed. Broad-nosed seedhead weevil (Bangasternus fausti) larvae eat diffuse, spotted and squarrose knapweed (C. virgata ssp. squarrosa), while those of the yellow starthistle bud weevil (B. orientalis) do not seem to live on anything other than yellow starthistle and occasionally purple starthistle (C. calcitrapa). But perhaps most efficient in destroying developing yellow starthistle seedheads is the larva of the yellow starthistle hairy weevil (Eustenopus villosus). Knapweed root weevil (Cyphocleonus achates) larvae bore into the roots of spotted and to a lesser extentely diffuse knapweed, sometimes killing off the entire plant.

Also used in biological control are Tephritidae (peacock flies) whose larvae feed on Centaurea. Knapweed peacock fly (Chaetorellia acrolophi) larvae eat spotted knapweed and some other species. The yellow starthistle peacock fly (C. australis) has an initial generation each year which often uses cornflower (C. cyanus) as larval food; later generations switch to yellow starthistle. The flies are generally considered less efficient in destroying the growing seedheads than the weevils, but may be superior under certain conditions; employing flies and weevils in combination is expensive and does not noticeably increase their effect.
Use by humans

Despite the negative agricultural and environmental impacts of the more aggressive Centaurea species, there are many ways in which they benefit humans as well. For instance, due to their moderate to high nectar production, which can occur over a comparatively long duration, many species of Centaurea are popular food sources for insects that may otherwise attack certain crops. It may be advisable for some types of farms to allow certain Centaurea species, such as cornflower (C. cyanus) in a European setting, to grow adjacent to fields. These areas are known as beetle banks, though they support and attract a diversity of beneficial life beyond beetles. When certain Centaurea species are present, some pests may be drawn away from crops, and predatory insects and arachnids that feed upon pest insects will be better-supported by these more naturalized areas. They additionally have the beneficial aspect of supporting pollinators, unlike many field crops such as maize. Moreover, being untreated with pesticides and providing more diversity, plants growing in more wild areas adjacent to farms produce more insects that attract and support birds which can also feed on pests that would harm crops. Insect production is especially high for beetle banks that have enough plants that serve in the role of host plant for immature insects, rather than just in the roles of adult food and/or shelter provision.

Some plants which are considered invasive or problematic in certain areas can have beneficial qualities that outweigh their negative qualities from a human and/or human agricultural point of view, although this sometimes requires some human management – particularly if adequate biological control has not been established for the more aggressive species. An example is wild parsnip, Pastinaca sativa, which produces florets that feed predatory (and other beneficial) insects as well as large tubular stems that provide winter shelter for native bees, wasps, and other organisms that can be beneficial for agriculture. The plant is considered invasive in some areas of the United States and is also often considered undesirable due to its ability to cause contact skin irritation. However, it also serves as a host plant for the black swallowtail butterfly, helps to bring nutrients up from soils with its deep taproot, and possesses evergreen foliage even in climate zones such as US zone 6. This foliage increases soil warmth and moisture which can be beneficial for certain types of life. Perhaps the most dramatic example of a generally disliked plant's beneficial qualities being usually overlooked is the often-despised ragwort, Jacobaea vulgaris, which topped the list by a large amount for nectar production in a UK study, with a production per floral unit of (2921 ± 448μg).[6] This very high nectar production, coupled with its early blooming period, makes the plant helpful for the establishment of bee colonies in spring — a period that is often not well-served by commercial flower meadow seed mixes.[7] It also has the situationally-beneficial quality of being a spring ephemeral, as well as an annual that lacks difficult-to-combat roots. Plants that provide necessary structural supports for invertebrate and small vertebrate predators can help to keep overall pest populations low.[8]
Yellow starthistle (C. solstitialis), an invasive weed that yields a fine honey

The abundant nectar produced by C. solstitialis flowers attracts many pollinators. This is another reason for the success of the (situationally) highly invasive species. Due to genetic differences related to evolutionary adaption, not all members of Centaurea produce the same amount of nectar. Growing conditions, such as climate and soil, can have a very strong impact, even if the plants grow and flower. For instance, cornflower plants, Centaurea cyanus, produced 33% less seasonal nectar than Centaurea nigra in a UK study.[6] C. nigra also ranked higher than ragwort in another UK study, although ragwort was still in the top 10 for yearly nectar production.[7] The strong nectar production of certain members of the genus can be exploited to the farmer's advantage, possibly in combination with biological control. In particular, the yellow starthistle (C. solstitialis) as well as spotted knapweed (C. maculosa) are major honey plants for beekeepers. Monofloral honey from these plants is light and slightly tangy, and one of the finest honeys produced in the United States – due to its better availability, it is even fraudulently relabeled and sold as the scarce and expensive sourwood honey of the Appalachian Mountains. Placing beehives near stands of Centaurea will cause increased pollination. As most seedheads fail however when biocontrol pests have established themselves, the plants will bloom ever more abundantly in an attempt to replace the destroyed seedheads, to the point where they exhaust their resources in providing food for the pests (seeds), bees (pollen) and humans (honey). Output of allelopathic compounds is also liable to be reduced under such conditions – the plant has to compromise between allocating energy to reproduction and defense. This renders the weeds more likely to be suppressed by native vegetation or crops in the following years, especially if properly timed controlled burning[5] and/or targeted grazing by suitable livestock are also employed. While yellow starthistle and perhaps other species are toxic to equines, some other livestock may eat the non-spiny knapweeds with relish. In Europe, common knapweed (C. nigra) and globe knapweed (C. macrocephala) are locally important pollen sources for honeybees in mid-late summer.

8-Hydroxyquinoline has been identified as a main allelopathic compound produced by diffuse knapweed (C. diffusa); native North American plants are typically sensitive to it, while those of Eastern Europe and Asia Minor usually have coevolved with the knapweed and are little harmed if at all, aided by native microorganisms that break down or even feed on the abundantly secreted compound.[4] Thus, 8-hydroxyquinoline is potentially useful to control American plants that have become invasive weeds in the diffuse knapweed's native range.
Arctiin from C. imperialis kills cancer cells in culture

Arctiin, found in C. imperialis, has shown anticancer activity in laboratory studies. The roots of the long-lost C. foliosa, an endemic of Hatay Province (Turkey), are used in folk medicine, and other species are presumably too. A South Italian variety[verification needed] of the purple starthistle (C. calcitrapa) is traditionally consumed by ethnic Albanians (Arbëreshë people) in the Vulture area (southern Italy); e.g. in the Arbëreshë communities in Lucania the young whorls of C. calcitrapa are boiled and fried in mixtures with other weedy non-cultivated greens. According to research by the Michael Heinrich group at the Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy (School of Pharmacy, University of London) "the antioxidant activity [...] of the young whorls of Centaurea calcitrapa, both in the DPPH and in the lipid peroxidation inhibition assays, [is] very interesting and [the] species should be investigated phytochemically and biochemically focusing on these properties". Extracts from C. calcitrapa were furthermore found to have significant xanthine oxidase (XO)-inhibiting activity.[9]

Spotted knapweed as well as other species are rich in cnicin, a bitter compound found mainly in the leaves and often used to flavor the digestif amaro. In western Crete, Greece a local variety[verification needed] of C. calcitrapa called gourounaki (γουρουνάκι "little pig") also has its leaves eaten boiled by the locals. In the same island an endemic local species, C. idaea called katsoula (κατσούλα), tsita (τσίτα) or aspragatha (ασπραγκάθα), has its leaves eaten boiled by the locals too.[10]

Cornflower blue
#6495ED

Some species are cultivated as ornamental plants in gardens. As regards other aspects of popular culture, cornflower (C. cyanus) is the floral emblem of Östergötland province (Sweden) – where is it called blåklint, literally "blue mountain" – and of Päijänne Tavastia region in Finland, where it is known as ruiskaunokki ("rye-beaks") or ruiskukka ("rye-flower"). It is also the national flower of Estonia where its local name rukkilill means "rye-lily", Belarus where it is called vałoška (Belarusian: валошка), and one of those of Germany where it is called Kornblume ("cornflower"). The origin of the name "caltrop" for the ancient low-tech area denial weapon is probably in some way connected with C. calcitrapa and its spiny seeds. This plant is attested to by the colloquial name "caltrop" at a time when the weapons were still called by their Roman name tribulus.[11] Lastly, the color cornflower blue is named after C. cyanus. Cornflower is also used as a cut flower.
Systematics and taxonomy
Centaurea horrida

As namesake member of the subtribe Centaureinae of tribe Cardueae, the knapweeds are probably most closely related to genera such as Carthamus (distaff thistles), Cnicus (blessed thistle), Crupina (crupinas) or Notobasis (Syrian thistle), and somewhat less closely to most other thistles. The monotypic Cnicus seems in fact to properly belong in Centaurea.[12]

Research in the late 20th century shows that Centaurea as traditionally defined is polyphyletic. A number of 19th- and 20th-century efforts to reorganize the genus were not successful, and it is not yet clear what the consequences of the recent research will be for classification of this genus and other related genera. The type species C. centaurium stands somewhat apart from the main lineage of knapweeds and thus the taxonomic consequences of a rearrangement might be severe, with hundreds of species needing to be moved to new genera. It has thus been proposed to change the type species to one of the main lineages to avoid this problem. What seems certain however is that the basketflowers – presently treated as a section Plectocephalus – will be reinstated as a distinct genus in the near future. The rock-centauries (Cheirolophus), formerly usually included in Centaurea, are now already treated as separate genus.[2]

Species
Main article: List of Centaurea species

Better-known Centaurea species include:

Centaurea acaulis
Centaurea adpressa
Centaurea aegyptiaca
Centaurea aeolica
Centaurea aggregata
Centaurea akamantis – Akamas centaurea
Centaurea alba
Centaurea albonitens Turrill
Centaurea alpestris
Centaurea alpina
Centaurea ambigua
Centaurea amblyolepis
Centaurea americana – American basketflower, American starthistle
Centaurea ammocyanus
Centaurea antennata Dufour
Centaurea antiochia Boiss.
Centaurea aplolepa
Centaurea aplolepa subsp. carueliana
Centaurea appendicigera C.Koch
Centaurea argentea
Centaurea ascalonica
Centaurea aspera L. – rough starthistle
Centaurea atacamensis (Reiche) I.M.Johnst.
Centaurea atropurpurea
Centaurea ×aurata
Centaurea babylonica L.
Centaurea balsamita
Centaurea behen L. – ak behmen (Turkish)
Centaurea bella
Centaurea benedicta – Cnicus
Centaurea bieberseinii
Centaurea borjae
Centaurea bovina
Centaurea bracteata
Centaurea brevifimbriata Hub.-Mor.
Centaurea bulbosa
Centaurea busambarensis Guss.
Centaurea cachinalensis
Centaurea calcitrapa – purple starthistle, red starthistle, "caltrop"
Centaurea calcitrapoides
Centaurea cariensis Boiss.
Centaurea cariensiformis Hub.-Mor.
Centaurea caroli-henrici Gabrieljan & Dittrich
Centaurea centaurium L.
Centaurea chilensis
Centaurea cineraria – velvet centaurea, dusty miller
Centaurea clementei
Centaurea collina L.
Centaurea corymbosa
Centaurea crithmifolia
Centaurea crocodylium
Centaurea cyanoides J.Berggr. & Wahlenb.
Centaurea cyanus – cornflower, bachelor's button, boutonniere flower, hurtsickle, bluebottle, basketflower
Centaurea damascena
Centaurea debeauxii Gren. & Godr.
Centaurea demirizii Wagenitz
Centaurea depressa – low cornflower
Centaurea deusta
Centaurea diffusa – diffuse knapweed, white knapweed, tumble knapweed
Centaurea diluta – North African knapweed
Centaurea drabifolia Sm.
Centaurea drabifolioides Hub.-Mor.
Centaurea dschungarica
Centaurea emilae Hüseynova et Qaraxani[13]
Centaurea eriophora
Centaurea eryngioides
Centaurea filiformis
Centaurea fischeri Willd.
Centaurea floccosa
Centaurea foliosa Boiss. & Kotschy
Centaurea forojuliensis
Centaurea friderici Vis. – palagruška zečina (Croatian)
Centaurea gayana
Centaurea gigantea
Centaurea glaberrima Tausch
Centaurea glastifolia
Centaurea grinensis
Centaurea gymnocarpa
Centaurea haradjianii Wagenitz
Centaurea hedgei
Centaurea helenioides Boiss.
Centaurea hermannii F.Hermann
Centaurea horrida Badarò – fiordaliso spinoso (Italian)
Centaurea hyalolepis
Centaurea hypoleuca
Centaurea iberica – Iberian starthistle, Iberian knapweed
Centaurea idaea – katsoula, tsita (Cretan Greek)
Centaurea imperialis Hausskn. ex Bornm.
Centaurea jabukensis
Centaurea jacea – brown knapweed, brownray knapweed
Centaurea kasakorum
Centaurea kopetaghensis
Centaurea kotschyana Heuff.
Centaurea lanulata
Centaurea leptophylla
Centaurea leucophylla
Centaurea limbata
Centaurea lydia Boiss.
Centaurea macrocephala Puschk. ex Willd. – globe knapweed, Armenian basketflower
Centaurea maculosa – spotted knapweed (might belong in C. stoebe subsp. micranthos)
Centaurea mannagettae
Centaurea margaritalba Klok.
Centaurea marschalliana
Centaurea melitensis – Maltese starthistle; tocalote, tocolote (California)
Centaurea minor
Centaurea moschata – sweet sultan
Centaurea ×moncktonii C.E.Britton – meadow knapweed, protean knapweed (= C. ×pratensis Thuill non Salisb.)
Centaurea monocephala
Centaurea montana – montane knapweed, perennial cornflower, mountain cornflower, mountain bluet
Centaurea napifolia L. – fiordaliso romano (Italian)
Centaurea nervosa Rchb. ex Steud.
Centaurea nigra – common knapweed, black knapweed, lesser knapweed, hardheads
Centaurea nigrescens – Tyrol knapweed, short-fringed knapweed, Tyrol thistle
Centaurea nigrifimbria (C.Koch) Sosn.
Centaurea nivea (Bornm.) Wagenitz
Centaurea onopordifolia
Centaurea orientalis L.
Centaurea ornata Willd.
Centaurea ovina
Centaurea pallescens Delile
Centaurea paniculata L.
Centaurea parlatoris
Centaurea pecho
Centaurea phrygia – wig knapweed
Centaurea pindicola
Centaurea polypodiifolia
Centaurea ×pratensis Salisb. (C. jacea × C. nigra) – meadow knapweed
Centaurea procurrens
Centaurea ×psammogena G.Gayer. (C. diffusa × C. stoebe subsp. micranthos)
Centaurea pseudocaerulescens
Centaurea pseudophrygia C.A.Mey.
Centaurea pulcherrima Willd.
Centaurea pullata L.
Centaurea pumilio
Centaurea ragusina L.
Centaurea rigida
Centaurea rothrockii Greenm. – Mexican basketflower, Rothrock's basketflower, Rothrock's knapweed
Centaurea ruthenica
Centaurea rutifolia Sm.
Centaurea sadleriana – Pannonian knapweed
Centaurea salicifolia Bieb. ex Willd.
Centaurea scabiosa – greater knapweed
Centaurea scannensis
Centaurea scoparia
Centaurea scopulorum Boiss. & Heldr.
Centaurea seguenzae
Centaurea seridis L.
Centaurea sibirica
Centaurea simplicicaulis
Centaurea sinaica
Centaurea solstitialis – yellow starthistle, golden starthistle, yellow cockspur, St. Barnaby's thistle, Barnaby thistle
Centaurea speciosa
Centaurea sphaerocephala L.
Centaurea stenolepis
Centaurea stoebe L.
Centaurea stoebe subsp. micranthos (Gugler) Hayek
Centaurea straminicephala
Centaurea sulphurea – Sicilian starthistle
Centaurea tauromenitana Guss.
Centaurea tenoreana
Centaurea tommasinii
Centaurea transalpina Schleich. ex DC.
Centaurea tchihatcheffii — yanardöner (Turkish)
Centaurea trichocephala Bieb. ex Willd. – featherhead knapweed
Centaurea triniifolia
Centaurea triumfettii All.
Centaurea tymphaeaHausskn.[14]
Centaurea ucriae Lacaita
Centaurea uniflora Turra
Centaurea verbascifolia Vahl
Centaurea verutum L.
Centaurea virgata
Centaurea virgata subsp. squarrosa – squarrose knapweed
Centaurea wiedemanniana Fisch. & Mey.
Centaurea yozgatensis Wagenitz

Formerly placed here

Plant species formerly placed in Centaurea include:

Acroptilon repens – Russian knapweed (as Centaurea repens)
Cheirolophus crassifolius – Maltese rock-centaury (as Centaurea crassifolia, C. spathulata)
Femeniasia balearica (as Centaurea balearica)
Volutaria muricata (as Centaurea muricata)

Footnotes

Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
Keil (2006), Keil & Ochsmann (2006).
Blackwell, Laird R. (2006). Great Basin Wildflowers: A Guide to Common Wildflowers of the High Deserts of Nevada, Utah, and Oregon (A Falcon Guide) (1st ed.). Guilford, Conn.: Morris Book Publishing, LLC. p. 57. ISBN 0-7627-3805-7. OCLC 61461560.
Hierro & Callaway (2003), Vivanco et al. (2004).
Emery & Gross (2005).
Hicks, DM; Ouvrard, P; Baldock, KCR (2016). "Food for Pollinators: Quantifying the Nectar and Pollen Resources of Urban Flower Meadows". PLOS ONE. 11 (6): e0158117. Bibcode:2016PLoSO..1158117H. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0158117. PMC 4920406. PMID 27341588.
"Which flowers are the best source of nectar?". Conservation Grade. 2014-10-15. Archived from the original on 2019-12-14. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
Wäckers et al. (2005)
Pieroni et al. (2002).
Stavridakis (2006)
In reference to their resemblance to the spiny seeds of the puncture vine, later named Tribulus terrestris.
Panero & Funk (2002), Keil (2006), Keil & Ochsmann (2006).
AMEA Botanika İnstitutunun əməkdaşları Azərbaycan florasında yeni növ aşkarlayıblar. science.gov.az

Centaurea tymphaea Plants of the World Online

References

Emery, S.M. & Gross, K.L. (2005): Effects of timing of prescribed fire on the demography of an invasive plant, spotted knapweed Centaurea maculosa. J. Appl. Ecol. 42(1): 60-69. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2004.00990.x (HTML abstract)
Hierro. J.L. & Callaway, R.M. (2003): Allelopathy and exotic plant invasion. Plant and Soil 256(1): 29–39. doi:10.1023/A:1026208327014 PDF fulltext
Keil, David J. (2006): 21. Plectocephalus. In: Flora of North America North of Mexico Vol. 19 (Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, part 6: Asteraceae, part 1). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-530563-9 HTML fulltext
Keil, David J. & Ochsmann, J. (2006): 24. Centaurea. In: Flora of North America North of Mexico Vol. 19 (Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, part 6: Asteraceae, part 1). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-530563-9 HTML fulltext
Panero, J.L. & Funk, V.A. (2002): Toward a phylogenetic subfamilial classification for the Compositae (Asteraceae). Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 115(4): 909–922. PDF fulltext Archived 2012-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
Pieroni, A.; Janiak, V.; Dürr, C.M.; Lüdeke, S.; Trachsel E. & Heinrich, M. (2002): In vitro Antioxidant Activity of Non-cultivated Vegetables of Ethnic Albanians in Southern Italy. Phytother. Res. 16(5): 467–473. doi:10.1002/ptr.1243 PDF fulltext
Stavridakis, Kleonikos G. (Κ. Γ. Σταυριδάκης) (2006): Wild edible plants of Crete - Η Άγρια βρώσιμη χλωρίδα της Κρήτης [English and Greek]. Rethymnon Crete. ISBN 960-631-179-1
Vivanco, J.M.; Bais, H.P.; Stermitz, F.R.; Thelen, G.C. & Callaway, R.M. (2004): Biogeographical variation in community response to root allelochemistry: Novel weapons and exotic invasion. Ecol. Lett. 7(4): 285–292. doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2004.00576.x PDF fulltext Supplementary material
Wäckers, Felix; van Rijn, Paul & Bruin, Jan (2005): Plant-Provided Food for Carnivorous Insects - a protective mutualism and its applications. Cambridge University Press, UK. ISBN 978-0-521-81941-1 Preview at Google Books