SPECIES DESCRIPTION
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