Centaurea cyanus : a herbaceous meadow plant

Blue cornflower, also known as Centauréa cyánus, cornflower, or blue cornflower, is a herb that grows in meadows. It belongs to the sunflower family, Asteraceae.

This plant lives for one or two years. It is common across most parts of Europe, except in the far north and south. It also grows in the Caucasus, Siberia, Central Asia, and the Far East. In the wild, it often appears on forest edges, clearings, and roadsides. It also grows as a weed in vegetable gardens and grain fields.

The plant reaches heights from 15 to 100 centimeters. Its stiff, ridged stems grow straight up. The leaves are without stalks, shaped like lances, and have notched edges. The leaves feel soft due to fine hairs on their surface.

The flowers are blue or purple and form single flower heads. The outer flowers are funnel-shaped and fall to the side. The inner flowers are tubular.

The fruit of the cornflower is a small dry seed called an achene. It has a reddish tuft that is nearly as long as the seed. The seeds ripen from August to October. Besides being pretty, cornflowers are important for bees because they produce honey.

To grow blue cornflowers well, it's important to meet their needs. They prefer moist soil and love full sun. They do not do well in shady places.

You can plant seeds in spring or fall. Just make sure the soil stays moist enough for the seeds to sprout. Keep the plants healthy by watering regularly, especially during dry times. Remove any weeds nearby.

Cornflowers are beautiful and good for bees and making medicine. However, they can be toxic to cattle and sheep. They can also spread easily, polluting grains and grasses in the spring and winter.

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