Centaurea raphanina
Sibth. & Sm.
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(c) Nicolas Lagière, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Nicolas Lagière
(c) arkim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by arkim
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves
The basal leaves are edible when cooked. This information applies specifically to the subspecies C. raphanina mixta (DC.) Runemark, syn. C. mixta DC.
Where to Find It
It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows on rocky and sandy habitats.
Crete, Europe, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean,
How to Identify
A low almost stemless thistle. It keeps growing from year to year. It can be 20 cm tall. The leaves have a cobweb group of hairs and spread in a ring. They are oblong and may or may not be lobed. The flower heads are pink or purple. The flower bracts usually end with a spine. This can be 2-9 mm long.
How to Grow
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil and a sunny position. Tolerates dry, low fertility and alkaline soils. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagation: Sow seed in early spring in a cold frame. Once large enough to handle, prick seedlings into individual pots and plant out into permanent positions during the summer. Division in autumn works well — larger clumps can be replanted directly while smaller ones are better potted up in a cold frame until well rooted, then planted out in summer or the following spring. Divide at least every three years to maintain vigour. For basal cuttings in spring, harvest shoots at around 10–15cm long with plenty of underground stem, pot individually, and keep in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until rooting well before planting out in summer.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Other Uses
None known.
Wikipedia
A perennial species with no specified height or hardiness range provided. Hermaphroditic, self-fertile flowers attract bees, flies, and butterflies. Grows in light, medium, and heavy soils, preferring well-drained conditions and tolerating poor soil. Accepts mildly acidic to very alkaline pH levels. Requires full sun and adapts well to dry soil while also tolerating moist conditions and drought.
Notes
There are 400 to 600 Centaurea species.
Names & Synonyms
References (5)
- Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 456
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Psaroudaki, A., et al, 2012, Ten Indigenous Edible Plants: Contemporary Use in Eastern Crete, Greece. Culture, Agriculture, Food and Environment Vol. 34, Issue 2 pp. 172–177
- Psaroudaki, A., et al, 2015, Genetic structure and population diversity of eleven edible herbs of Eastern Crete. Journal of Biological Research-Thessaloniki, 22:7
- Rivera, D. et al, 2006, Gathered Mediterranean Food Plants - Ethnobotanical Investigations and Historical Development, in Heinrich M, Müller WE, Galli C (eds): Local Mediterranean Food Plants and Nutraceuticals. Forum Nutr. Basel, Karger, 2006, vol 59, pp 18–74
