How to identify Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

How to identify Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

Cornflower, also known as Garden cornflower, Bluebottle

Cornflower is distinguished by its vivid blue flowers, which bloom atop slender stems that can reach up to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) in height. The foliage of this annual consists of lance-shaped, gray-green leaves. Its flowers are thistle-like in appearance, with a ring of ragged, tubular petals. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-draining soil, showing a remarkable tolerance to low-water conditions. When planted in too much shade or overly rich soils, the stems may become weak and require support.

Lifespan: Annual, Perennial, Biennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Cornflower

Vivid blue flowers atop slender stems up to 2-3 feet tall (60-90 cm).

Thistle-like appearance with ragged, tubular petals distinguish the flowers of cornflower.

Dry achene fruit with distinctive tuft of bristles aids in wind dispersal.

Leaves 1-4 inches long (2.5-10 cm) with sparse to moderate long hairs.

Moderately thick stems with woolly hairs, prone to flopping without support.

Detailed Traits of Cornflower

Leaf Features

The leaves of cornflower are alternate and measure 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 cm) in length. They are pointed at the tip and are sparsely to moderately covered in long, matted hairs, giving them a distinctive texture. The leaves are typically a grayish-green color and have a simple, unlobed, and linear to lanceolate shape. This specific texture, size, and shape of the leaves are key identification features for this plant.

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Flower Features

The flowers of cornflower are characterized by their intense blue color, forming heads approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter. They showcase a ring of a few large, spreading ray florets that encircle a central cluster of numerous smaller disc florets. The flowers have a distinct, intricate structure with the ray florets acting like petals and the disc florets tightly packed in the center. Cornflower typically blooms from late spring to early summer, emitting a subtle floral scent.

Inflorescence Type

Capitulum/Head

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Stem Features

Cornflower features single stems which emerge from the plant base and subsequently branch. These stems exhibit a sparse to moderate covering of woolly hairs, offering a slightly textured appearance. Initially upright, they can tend to flop over without external support. The stems are moderately thick, typically around 0.2-0.4 inches (0.5-1 cm) in diameter, and manifest a coloration that ranges from light green to grayish-green, distinctly setting them apart for easy identification.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of cornflower is a dry, one-seeded structure known as an achene. At maturity, it presents a straw-colored appearance and is endowed with a fine, hairy texture. The fruit is crowned with a distinctive tuft of short, stiff, light brown bristles at its tip, aiding in seed dispersal by wind. Although petite, these key features — particularly the bristled tip — are useful for recognition by enthusiasts and aid in distinguishing the species from others when observed in its natural habitat.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Cornflower and Their Similar Plants

Perennial cornflower vs. Cornflower: What's The Difference?

Grown as a garden plant and as a cut flower, the perennial cornflower is a flowering plant endemic to the mountainous meadows and woodlands of Europe. Despite being inedible, this plant is widely utilized for medical purposes in Central Europe. It has grown invasive in British Columbia. Bees, butterflies, moths, and other pollinators are attracted to this plant.

Yellow star-thistle vs. Cornflower: What's The Difference?

Yellow star-thistle (Centaurea solstitialis) is a flowering plant species indigenous to the Mediterranean Basin. It blooms in spring. Yellow star-thistle is also known as St. Barnaby's thistle.

Velvet centaurea vs. Cornflower: What's The Difference?

Velvet centaurea (Centaurea cineraria) is an evergreen perennial that will grow from 15 to 61 cm tall. Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Blooms in summer with white or yellow flowers. Grown for its gray-green foliage, which contrasts beautifully with darker green plants in the garden. Oftentimes, flowers are trimmed away to encourage thicker leaf growth.

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Key Facts About Cornflower

Attributes of Cornflower

Lifespan

Annual, Perennial, Biennial

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

20 cm to 1 m

Spread

15 cm to 30 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

3.5 cm

Flower Color

Blue

White

Pink

Red

Purple

Violet

Fruit Color

Cream

Brown

Yellow

White

Tan

Stem Color

Green

Silver

Blue

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Cornflower

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Asters bellflowers fanflowers and allies

Family

Daisy

Genus

Centaury

Species

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

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Distribution Map of Cornflower

The cornflower plant is native to southern Europe, growing in meadows and other disturbed areas. Has also been widely introduced to many countries outside the native range. It is cultivated as a garden plant in the United States where it is also considered an invasive weed in agricultural fields.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Cornflower

A Comprehensive Guide to Cornflower How to Grow and Care for Cornflower