CENTAUREA ARGENTEA subsp. ARGENTEA

Family:- COMPOSITAE/Subgen. ACROLOPHUS/Sect. PANNOPHYLLUM

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Centaurea (Gr) Centaur, Centauros. The centaur Chiron was cured of a

hoof wound with this plant.

Argentea (L) Silvery, silvered.

General description:- Perennial. Covered with whitish short, dense, matted hairs.

Stems:-

1) 10-45 cm, erect or ascending, with few, short spineless branches.

Leaves:-

1) Lower, lyrate with oblong segments, not rigid or spiny.

Flowers:-

1) Capitula, solitary.

2) Involucre 8-10 x 5-7 mm, ovoid; appendages of the involucral bracts lunate or

semilunate, 0.6-1 mm long, dentate or with short spines 0.1-0.6 mm long; pale

brown.

3) Florets, yellow.

Fruit:-

1) Pappus, about as long as the achene.

Key features:-

1) Appendages of the involucral bracts lunate or semilunate, 0.6-1 mm long, dentate

or short spines 0.1-0.6 mm long.

2) Florets yellow.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Crevices and ledges of limestone clilfs, often in semi-shade in gorges,

rarely ungrazed coniferous woodland. 0-900(-1800) m.

Distribution:- Widespread Cretan endemic, occurring chiefly in the Psiloritsis and

Lefka Ori massifs as well as the island of Kithira to the north-west.

Flowering time:- Apr-July.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis

Status:-

Protection status (for threatened species): Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981