32 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
GENUS XXXII. 
CENTAUREA, Lin. THE CENTAURY 
Lin. Syst. SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA ^QUALIS. 
Geneiiic Character. — Filaments papillose. Pappus in several rows. Seeds compressed, somewhat honeycombed on the sides. Florets 
five-parted. 
Description, &c. — This genus takes its name from the legend tliat the Centaur Chiron used the juice of one 
of the species medicinally. The plants are generally h.ardy 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 WO AD-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 liave 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. 
Synonymes. — Carduus oricntalis. Town. ; Costmary-leaved Cen- 
taury. 
Engraving. — Swt. Brit. Flower Gard. 2d series, t. .3.55. 
Specific Character. — The Avhole plant covered with a silky wool. 
Description, &c. — This plant is a hardy perennial, 
BALSAM-SCENTED CENTAUREA. 
Stem simple. Root-leaves lyrate; stem-leaves oblong, mucronatc, 
entire. Flower-head ovate ; 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, 
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. 
Synonymes. — Cyanus major, Tourn. ; the greater blue-bottle ; Specific Character. — Leaves lanceolate, decurrent. Stem simple, 
the large corn-flower. Scales of the involucre serrated. 
Engraving. — Bot. Mag. t. 77 ; and om fig. I 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 ant- 
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. — Centauiea Caucasica, Tourn. leaves obovate,lanc.eolate, undulated ; stem, leaves decurrent, lanceolate, 
Engravings. — Bot. Mag. t. 1175 ; and ouv Jiff* 3 in PI. 57* dentate, undulated. 
Specific Character. — Scales of the involucre ciliated. Radical i 
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 
