OF ORNAMENTAL PERENNIALS. 219 
not at all handsome, having a coarse weedy appearance; but the flowers are very pretty, as they are large and 
are of a beautiful pale yellow. The species is a hardy perennial, and'easily increased by seeds or parting the 
root. It is a native of Mount Caucasus, whence it was introduced in 1801. It is nearly allied to the large 
blue Centaurea, but it is di:stinguished by the undulated loaves, and by long hairs growing from the black 
margin of the scales of the involucre. It flowers during May, June, and July. 
5.— CENTAUREA SPHiT.ROCEPHALA, Lin. THE PRICKLY-HEADED CENTAUREA. 
Synonvmes. — C. cffispitosa, Vahl. ; Jacea purpurea, flay ; J. ma- ] Specific Character Involucre beset with palmate spines. Leaves 
ritima, Barrel. I stem-clasping, hairy, oblong, dentate, lower ones pinnatifid. 
Engravings, — Bot. Mag. t. 2551. I 
Description, &c. — This species is by far the handsomest of all the Centaureas. The involucre is globe- 
shaped and studded over with tufts of dark-brown spines. The flowers are of a beautiful purple. It is a native 
of the south of Europe and the Coast of Barbary, where it grows in large matted tufts on the sand of the sea- 
shore ; but it is quite hardy enough to bear the winter in England without protection. It flowers nearly all 
the summer; it is propagated either by seeds or dividing the roots. It was introduced in 1C83. 
Synonymes. — Jacca cretica, Mor. ; J. arborca, 7,an. ; Stocbe mon 
tana. Barrel. 
Engraving. — Bot. Mag. t. 494. 
6.— CENTAUREA RAGUSINA, Lin. THE CRETAN CENTAURY. 
Specific Character. — Involucre ciliated. Leaves covered with a 
silvery tomentum, pinnatifid ; segments obtusely-ovate, upper ones 
largest. 
Description, &c, — This is a very singular-looking plant, with whitish-blue leaves and bright yellow flowers. 
It grows about three feet high, and will flower in the open border, though it requires protection during winter. 
It is a native of Candia and the Ionian Isles, and was introduced in 1714. It appears, however, to have 
been long lost to our gardens, though it is deserving of cultivation, from the silvery whiteness of its stem 
and leaves. 
7.— CENTAUREA SPINOSA, Lin. THE SPINY CENTAURY. 
Synonymes— Jacca cretica, ToMin, ; Stcebe spinosa, SauA, ; C/a- Specific Charhcter.— Involucre ciliated. R-ndical leaves unaivided 
nus spinosus, Alp. or pinnatifid ; stem-leaves tomentose, pinnatifid. Branches spiny. 
Engraving.— Bot. Mag. t, 2493, 
Description, &c, — This is a rare plant, though it was introduced before 1620, and is a native of Candia, the 
ancient Crete. It is more curious than beautiful, and yet its small delicate flowers may be called pretty. The 
stem is very much branched, and each of the branches terminates in a short spine, which gives it a shrubby 
appearance, though it is a true perennial. It grows freely in any light garden soil, but requires a slight protec- 
tion from frost. 
7,— CENTAUREA RHAPONTICA, Lin. THE SWISS CENTAURY. 
Engravings, — Bot. Mag, t, 1752 ; and mr fig. 2 in PI, 57, 
Specific Character, — Involucre scaly, with bard loose scales. Leaves ovate-oblong, denticulate, tomentose, below, 
Descpiption, &c, — This plant is very large and coarse-growing, with broad deep-green leaves. It has a 
very thick stem, and a large involucre, with coarse loose brown scales, and a head of purple flowers, which is 
nearly as large as that of the artichoke. It is only fit for growing in a shrubbery. It is a native of Switzerland, 
and was introduced in 1640. 
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