2J8 THE LADIES' FLOWEll-GAKDEN 
GENUS XXXII. 
CENTAUREA, Lin. THE CENTAURY, 
Lin. Syst. SYNGENESIA. POLYGAMIA iEQUALIS. 
Generic Character. — Filaments papillose. Pappus in several rows. Seeds corapressed, somewhat honeycombed on the sides. Floiets 
five, parted. 
Description, &c. This genus takes its name from tlie legend that the Centaur Chiron used the juice of one 
of the species medicinally. The plants are generally hardy perennials, and those which are natives of Britain 
are called Knapweed. Among the annual species the corn blue-bottle is the best known. The species are not 
generally very ornamental, but they are quite hardy. 
1.— CENTAUREA GLASTIFOLIA, Lin. THE WOAD-LEAVED CENTAUREA. 
Engraving. — Bot. Mag. t. 62. 
Specific Character. — Involucre imbricated. Scales entire. Leaves entire, decurrent. 
Description, &c. — This species is remarkable for its leaves, which resemble those of the woad, and have the 
veins projecting on both sides, like those of the Gazania. The scales of the involucre are also remarkable for their 
silvery appearance. The florets are yellow, but the flowers have no great beauty. The species is a native of 
Siberia, and also of Persia ; it was introduced in 1731. 
2.— CENTAUREA BALSAMITA, Lam. BALSAM-SCENTED CENTAUREA. 
SvNONYMES. — Carduus orientalis, Tourn. ; Costmary-leaved Cen- 
taury. 
Engkaving.— Swt. Br. Flo. Gar. 2d ser. t. b55, & our/y. 4 in PI. 67. 
Spkcific Character. — The whole plant covered with a silky wool. 
Stem simple. Root-leaves lyrate; stem-leaves oblong, mucronatc, 
entire. Flower-head ovale ; involucre with smooth scales ; append- 
ages palmate, pectinate ; florets of the ray numerous, slender, shorter 
than those of the disk, and with a three-parted limb. 
Description, &c. — This plant is a hardy perennial, the flowers of which have a balsamic scent. The 
involucre is globe-shaped, and remarkable for the curious little crest-like appendages, which are stuck all over it. 
The leaves are large and covered with a silky tomentum. The species is a native of Mount Caucasus, and it was 
introduced in 1820. It is propagated by dividing the root, and will grow in any ordinary garden soil. 
3.— CENTAUREA MONTANA, Linn. THE MOUNTAIN CENTAURY. 
Specific Chaiucter. — Leaves lanceolate, decurrent. Stem simple. 
Scales of the involucre serrated. 
SvN0NY,ME3. — Cvauus m.ijor, Tourn. ; the greater blue-bottle ; 
the large corn-flower. 
Engraving. — Bot. Mag. t. 77 ; and onr fig. 1 in PI. 57. 
Description, &c. — The corn blue-bottle is so well known a plant that it needs very little description ; this, 
however, is the perennial species, and its flowers are so large and so handsome as to deserve cultivation in any 
garden. This species is a native of the German Alps, where it remains in flower all the summer ; in England it 
is a hardy perennial, and will grow in any soil and situation. It is propagated by dividing the roots, or by seeds, 
which it ripens in great abundance. It was introduced before 1596, and thus has been one of the commonest of 
our garden-flowers for the last two hundred and fifty years. 
4.— CENTAUREA OCHROLEUCA. Willd. THE CREAM-COLOURED CENTAURY. 
Synonymes.— Centaurea Caucasica, Tourn. leaTesobovate,lanceolate, undulated; stem, leaves decurrent, lacceoUite, 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag. t. 1175 ; and our fig. 3 in PI. 57, ' dentate, undulated. 
Specific Character. — Scales i f the involucre ciliutcd. Radical 1 
Description, Sic. — The stem, which is angular, grows about a foot and a half high, and it is nearly clothed 
by the decurrent leaves, which are so near together as to make the stem itself appear winged. The leaves are 
