Centaurea Scabiosa

The large centauria (Centaurea scabiosa) is a perennial plant that belongs to the composite family (Asteraceae). The species is on the Dutch Red List of plants as rare and moderately diminished. The centaurie grub (Orobanche elatior) parasitizes on the plant.

The plant becomes 30–120 cm high. The long, dark green leaves are feathered to double-feathered.

The large centaurie flowers from June to October with pink to red-purple, 1.5-2.5 cm, single flowers. The inflorescence is ahead with tubular flowers. There is a wreath of sterile, fringe-like border flowers. The wrapper leaves, like those of the mountain centauria (Centaurea Montana), are incised in a fringe-like manner and have no spines at the top.

The fruit is a nut and has an ant bread. The fruit fluff is hygroscopic.

The plant occurs among the grass on slopes on fairly dry, lime-rich soil.