Centaurea cineraria

Taxobox
name = "Centaurea Cineraria"


image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Asterales
familia = Asteraceae
tribus = Cynareae
genus = "Centaurea"
species = "C. cineraria"
binomial = "Centaurea cineraria"
binomial_authority = L.
synonyms = "Centaurea gymnocarpa" "Centaurea candidissima" Lam.cite web
url = http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?104124
title = Taxon: "Centaurea cineraria" L.
accessdate = 2008-03-03
author = Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
authorlink = Germplasm Resources Information Network
date = 1992-05-20
format = HTML
work = Taxonomy for Plants
publisher = USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland ] "Acosta cineraria" (L.) Holubcite web
url = http://ww2.bgbm.org/EuroPlusMed/PTaxonDetail.asp?NameId=134359&PTRefFk=7000000
title = Details for: "Centaurea cineraria"
accessdate = 2008-03-03
author = Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem
authorlink = Botanical Garden in Berlin
format = HTML
work = Euro+Med PlantBase
publisher = Freie Universität Berlin]

"Centaurea cineraria" or as it is known in Italy Fiordaliso scogliere or Dusty Miller is a small plant in the family Asteraceae, and is one of several plants that go by the common name "Dusty Miller" (see also "Senecio cineraria" and "Lychnis coronaria"). It originates from the Island of Capraia, in Italy.

The mature plants will grow from 15 cm to 60 cm (6inches to 24 inches). They prefer full sun, but will tolerate light shade, and also prefers average to rich well-drained soil.

"C. Cineraria" will produce small white or yellow flowers in summer, but these are usually trimmed because the plant is normally grown as foliage.

Depending on climate, it can be grown as either an annual or as a perennial.

Common varieties include: "Silver Dust", "Silver Lace" and "Cirrus". The image above the scientific classification is a plant of the "Silver Lace" variety.

References

* Ellis, Barbara W., "Taylor's Guide to Annuals, How to Select and Grow More Than 400 Annuals, Bienniels, and Tender Perenniels", 1999 Haughton Mifflin Company, New York, NY
* Armitage, Allan M., "Armitage's Manual of Annuals, Bienniels, and Half Hardy Perenniels", illustrated Asha Kays and Chris Johnson, 2001 Timber Press Inc., Singapore

External links

* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CECI2 United States Department of Agriculture]