Centaurea


 * [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Centaurea_montana_Sturm25.jpg width="274" height="388" align="right"]]

Scientific Article // by Anil Chitrapu // ** The //Centaurea Montana// is a dicotyledonous plant that is unique to central Europe. It is a member of the aster family, and is a perennial. It has recently been introduced to North America, where we located it growing in a neighbohood backyard. The highly specialized plant contains sixteen petals, which further indicates that it is a dicot plant, as its petals are in multiples of four or five. //C. Montana// has bright purple narrow petals that are adapted to its habitats. Its vascular bundles are located in a ring, with a strong structure of xylem and phloem to transport food and nutrients up and down the plant, and its leaves are netlike, to increase sunlight absorption for photosynthesis. Further into the ground, a taproot is present, which increases storage and has branched roots. The //C. Montana// flowers from May to August, and grows in meadows and open woodlands in the upper montane and sub-alpine zones. They tolerate shade, and can flower well in light amounts of it. This rare flower is always a treat to find, and intrigues scientists and botanists with its bright, vibrant coloration and unique anatomical structure.

// by Harsha Kanumalla // ** The Centaurea Montana, also known as the Perennial Cornflower, Mountain Cornflower, Bachelor’s Button, or Mountain Bluet, is a native of Europe. It is distinguished by its unique purple colorIt grows in meadows and open woodland. The height of the plant ranges from 30-70cm. It usually flowers from May to August. In a garden, the Centaurea Montana grows best directly under the sun. An advantage of this plant is that it is evergreen. It also grows well in a variety of soils. Through volunteer seeds, it can spread itself to different locations.
 * Newspaper Article

by Nick Sunderland // **
 * Poem[[image:Cornflower.jpeg width="295" height="400" align="right"]] //

Monocot or dicot, who really knows Count the pedals like you count your toes. Sixteen you say, well don’t fray It is a dicot and you’re on your way.

The purple pedals send a glow through the air, Lighting up like a child’s face at the county fair. The vibrant colors are a nice sight to see, No wonder it attracts insects like the bee.

What else can you say, This is a beautiful flower. You can’t stare at it all day, But maybe an hour.