Quercus

Cornflower

Centaurea cyanus

Not native to South Carolina

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including SC

Genus host records with ranges including SC · Centaurea

  • Epiblema scudderianaScudder's Epiblema, Goldenrod Gall Moth
  • Megalographa bilobaBilobed Looper Moth
  • Platyptilia carduidactylusArtichoke Plume Moth
  • Schinia arcigeraArcigera Flower Moth
  • Vanessa carduiPainted Lady, Cosmopolite
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
6Specialist beesPollen specialists

Pollen specialists · Centaurea

  • Megachile pugnata
  • Melissodes denticulatus
  • Melissodes desponsus
  • Melissodes rivalis
  • Melissodes subillatus
  • Perdita octomaculata
Smith, Bachelder, Russell, Morales, Mosher & Seltmann 2024, Bee-Specialization-Modeling v0.6.1 (specialist host table compiled from J. Fowler's pollen specialist bee lists), Zenodo, CC BY 4.0
12BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Centaurea

  • Anthus rubescensAmerican Pipit
  • Callipepla californicaCalifornia Quail
  • Haemorhous mexicanusHouse Finch
  • Junco hyemalisDark-eyed Junco
  • Melospiza melodiaSong Sparrow
  • Melozone crissalisCalifornia Towhee
  • Pipilo maculatusSpotted Towhee
  • Spinus psaltriaLesser Goldfinch
  • Spinus tristisAmerican Goldfinch
  • Spizella passerinaChipping Sparrow
Show all 12
  • Zonotrichia atricapillaGolden-crowned Sparrow
  • Zonotrichia leucophrysWhite-crowned Sparrow
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Asteraceae
Hardiness
Zones 2a–11b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Blue, pink or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Bachelors Button; Cornflower

Conservation status

South Carolina rankNot available
Global rankNot available
SC statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources