SPECIES DESCRIPTION
CENTAUREA ARGENTEA subsp. ARGENTEA
Family and Genus:- See- COMPOSITAE/Subgen. ACROLOPHUS/Sect.
Common Names:- None
Homotypic 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.
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
