Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
mollis
ID:
29347

Status:
valid

Authors:
Waldst. & Kit.

Source:
gcc

Year:
1812

Citation Micro:
Descr. Icon. Pl. Hung. 3: 243, t. 219 (1806-1812)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000028676



Common Names

  • Soft Knapweed
  • Mollis Centaurea
  • Soft Starthistle


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Synonyms

  • Centaurea carpatica Formánek [unknown]
  • Cyanus mollis mollis [unknown]
  • Cyanus mollis J.Presl & C.Presl [unknown]
  • Centaurea montana mollis (Waldst. & Kit.) Gugler [unknown]
  • Cyanus montanus mollis (Waldst. & Kit. ex Besser) Soják [unknown]

Description

Centaurea mollis (also called soft knapweed, among many other common names) is a perennial herb native to the western United States, growing in dry, rocky, and sandy habitats. It has a basal rosette of lobed leaves and a stem with a few leaves. The flowers are yellow and the fruits are achenes.

Uses & Benefits

Centaurea mollis is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a groundcover. It is also used to attract butterflies and bees.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Centaurea mollis is white, with a yellow center disc and yellow ray florets. The seed is small, dark brown and slightly curved. The seedlings are small, with a single pair of leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Centaurea mollis is a perennial plant that prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is easily propagated from seed, which should be sown in spring or early summer. The seedlings should be thinned out to allow for adequate space between plants. The plant can also be propagated by division in spring or early summer. The plant should be divided every 3-4 years to maintain its vigor.

Where to Find Centaurea mollis

Centaurea mollis is native to the western United States and Canada. It can be found in dry, rocky soils in open areas.

Centaurea mollis FAQ

What is the scientific name of Centaurea mollis?

Centaurea mollis

What is the common name of Centaurea mollis?

Soft knapweed

What is the natural habitat of Centaurea mollis?

Grasslands, meadows, and disturbed areas

Species in the Centaurea genus

Centaurea pseudomaculosa, Centaurea spicata, Centaurea loscosii, Centaurea triniifolia, Centaurea gadorensis, Centaurea messenicolasiana, Centaurea werneri, Centaurea grisebachii, Centaurea noguerensis, Centaurea papposa, Centaurea vermiculigera, Centaurea saxicola, Centaurea linifolia, Centaurea antitauri, Centaurea lactiflora, Centaurea vavilovii, Centaurea aplolepa, Centaurea sphaerocephala, Centaurea integrans, Centaurea ognjanoffii, Centaurea stevenii, Centaurea centauroides, Centaurea pinnata, Centaurea aeolica, Centaurea cankiriensis, Centaurea ebenoides, Centaurea ceratophylla, Centaurea simonkaiana, Centaurea rothmaleriana, Centaurea chalcidicaea, Centaurea pinnatifida, Centaurea nervosa, Centaurea foveolata, Centaurea elbrusensis, Centaurea triumfettii, Centaurea hermanni, Centaurea djebel-amouri, Centaurea chrysantha, Centaurea monticola, Centaurea melitensis, Centaurea affinis, Centaurea kizildaghensis, Centaurea filiformis, Centaurea scillae, Centaurea vatevii, Centaurea sterilis, Centaurea handelii, Centaurea androssovii, Centaurea litardierei, Centaurea oxylepis,

Species in the Asteraceae family

Aaronsohnia pubescens, Aaronsohnia factorovskyi, Abrotanella filiformis, Abrotanella rostrata, Abrotanella linearis, Abrotanella trilobata, Abrotanella muscosa, Abrotanella inconspicua, Abrotanella trichoachaenia, Abrotanella caespitosa, Abrotanella nivigena, Abrotanella pusilla, Abrotanella linearifolia, Abrotanella papuana, Abrotanella rosulata, Abrotanella emarginata, Abrotanella fertilis, Abrotanella spathulata, Abrotanella purpurea, Abrotanella patearoa, Abrotanella submarginata, Abrotanella diemii, Abrotanella scapigera, Abrotanella forsterioides, Acamptopappus shockleyi, Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Acanthocephalus benthamianus, Acanthocephalus amplexifolius, Acanthocladium dockeri, Acanthodesmos distichus, Acanthodesmos gibarensis, Acanthospermum humile, Acanthospermum consobrinum, Acanthospermum glabratum, Acanthospermum microcarpum, Acanthospermum hispidum, Acanthospermum australe, Acanthospermum lecocarpoides, Acanthostyles buniifolius, Acanthostyles saucechicoensis, Achillea buiana, Achillea conrathii, Achillea cucullata, Achillea styriaca, Achillea clavennae, Achillea cappadocica, Achillea huber-morathii, Achillea ptarmicoides, Achillea sieheana, Achillea barrelieri,

References

Franz de Paula Adam von Waldstein (1759-1823): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Waldst.' in the authors string.
Pál Kitaibel (1757-1817): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Kit.' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:191025-1: Based on the initial data import