2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Cornflower mountain (lat. Centaurea montana) - a herbaceous plant of the genus Cornflower (lat. Centaurea), reckoned to the family Astrovye (lat. Asteraceae). Such a typical representative of the genus with a straight, strong stem and a large blue-violet inflorescence formed by two types of flowers, protected by a tiled box of bristly sepals. The plant is inedible, but its medicinal qualities are popular in the countries of Central Europe.
What's in your name
The Latin name of the genus "Centaurea" comes from the name of a mortal wild creature from ancient Greek myths, which was a half-human, half-horse and possessed a violent disposition. But not such unattractive features of the Centaur, as this creature was called, was the reason for the name of the genus of very peaceful and attractive plants, but information about the medicinal abilities of Cornflowers, who managed to save the Centaur from the poisonous bite of the hydra, another formidable representative of myths. Karl Linnaeus, familiar with the myths of Ancient Greece and the healing powers of some species of cornflowers, decided to give the genus of plants such a formidable Latin name.
In Russian, people chose a more gentle and affectionate name for the plants - Cornflower.
The specific epithet "montana" ("mountain") was assigned to the plant for its choice of a place of residence, located in the mountains of Western Europe.
Description
Mountain cornflower is a perennial plant that can grow in one place for up to 10 years. It has an erect stem without lateral branching with a height of 30 to 70 centimeters.
It is distinguished by whole leaves of a lanceolate shape, forming a basal rosette and climbing the stem on short petioles, almost sessile in the upper part of the stem. Leaves are simple, green, with a light central vein.
The stem is crowned with a single large basket (rarely, the number of baskets can be up to three pieces). The diameter of the inflorescence formed by two types of flowers is up to 6 centimeters. Inner tubular flowers are darker, marginal asexual petal flowers are lighter blue-violet in color. Flowering lasts from May to August.
The inflorescence is born from the shingle boll of sepals, similar to the graceful miniature bristly pineapple fruit. You can call a box of sepals a visiting card of Vasilkov, distinguishing them from numerous relatives in the Astrov family.
After pollination, the capsule turns into a multi-seeded fruit - achene. When ripe, the seeds are poured onto the ground in order to sprout with new shoots next year.
The mountain cornflower is similar in appearance to the blue cornflower (Centaurea cyanus). The differences between them are that the mountain cornflower is a perennial plant, while the blue cornflower is an annual or biennial. In addition, the cornflower of the mountain, as a rule, has a single basket of inflorescence, and in its relative, the stem branches in the upper part and has many flower heads.
Usage
Cornflower mountain has been known in culture since the 16th century, decorating the gardens and parks of noblemen. It is still a popular garden plant today, giving bright, long flowering at minimal cost of caring for it.
Although the plant is not edible, its healing properties are very popular in Central Europe.
Growing conditions
Cornflower, born in the mountains, prefers sunny places in gardens. Since the plant is evergreen and begins to bloom early, it is quite suitable for a place under the crowns of shrubs and trees that stand in winter and early spring without leaves, without taking away the required amount of sunlight from the Cornflower, which is preparing to bloom. Thus, the peak of flowering will occur during the light-leafed period.
If, for some reason, the plant was dug out of its rightful place, Cornflower will easily restore its presence from small pieces of roots left in the soil.
Mountain cornflower is unpretentious to soils, grows well in any soils, from light sands to heavy clay. It also calmly accepts any acidity of the soil and arid conditions.
What the Mountain Cornflower does not like is excessive dampness, boggy, stagnant water.
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