# Cornflower (*Centaurea cyanus*)

Cornflower is a lovely flower known for its vibrant blue color. It grows in fields and gardens, making them look cheerful and bright.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 14
- **Habitat:** Fields and gardens
- **Also known as:** Bachelor's Button

![Cornflower](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/143259788/medium.jpg)

Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/143259788)

## Appearance

The Cornflower is known for its vibrant, intense blue, thistle-like flowers, which stand out against slender, grey-green stems. Its distinctive, frilly petals form a charming, delicate bloom, visually different from many wild meadow flowers.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Asterales
- **Family:** Asteraceae
- **Genus:** Centaurea

## Interesting facts

- Ancient Egyptians loved cornflowers, finding them in Tutankhamun's tomb!
- Cornflowers were traditionally pressed into books as romantic bookmarks.
- Its vibrant blue color once made a popular dye for textiles.
- The petals are edible and add a splash of color to salads!

## Special abilities

- **Self-Seeding Master:** Cornflower can drop many seeds that readily germinate, helping it spread and return year after year without human help.
- **Pollinator Magnet:** Cornflower has nectar-rich flowers that attract bees and butterflies, ensuring its successful reproduction and supporting local ecosystems.
- **Drought Defender:** Cornflower can thrive in dry, poor soils thanks to its efficient water use, allowing it to grow where other plants struggle.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-90 cm
- **Spread:** 15-45 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Annual
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen
- **Pollinates:** Common eastern bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — visits flowers for nectar
- **Pollinates:** Red admiral butterfly (*Vanessa atalanta*) — sips nectar from blooms

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Cornflower?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Cornflower?

30-90 cm

### How wide does Cornflower spread?

15-45 cm

### How big are the flowers on Cornflower?

2-4 cm

### When does Cornflower bloom?

Summer

### Is Cornflower edible?

Yes

### Is Cornflower toxic?

None

### What is Cornflower's lifecycle?

Annual

## Where to spot

- [Concord](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord) — Tennessee, US · Neighborhood
- [East Windsor Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-windsor-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District
- [Leadville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/leadville-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District
- [Peninsula Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/peninsula-village-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District
- [Kentucky Down Under](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-down-under) — Kentucky, US · Zoo
- [ZooMontana](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoomontana) — Montana, US · Zoo

[View all places to see Cornflower](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cornflower)

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Cornflower: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cornflower)