Centaurea affinis

Relatively common species, found mainly in dry, stony and rocky places, in open spaces, on mountain road sides, in mountain meadows, in forests, as well as in forest openings. They appear at an altitudinal range between 700 and 1,900 m asl.

Perennial plant with a woody stem that produces one or more shoots. Its leaves are pinnate with variously pressed hairs, grayish. The shoots may be simple or sparsely branched and their branches end in a “flower”. It is a complex flower (head), consisting of numerous, independent, small, pink-purple flowers, which are densely placed on a wide tray, with a basket-like shell. Characteristic is the presence of triangular deep brown or black extensions on the head’s shell (involucre). Each of them has 6 fringes on both sides, which end in a slightly sharp apex. These components, which scientists call involucral bracts, are independent and arranged in the form of roof tiles, so that one overlaps the other. The color, the shape, the shape of their apex, the dimensions and the surface cover, are among the most important characters for the identification of the different species of the genus. The genus Centaurea is one of the largest and most complex of the Greek flora. It includes at least 519 species in Europe and the Mediterranean, with about 120 of them found in Greece, including among them many local endemics, i.e. species found usually in a small area and nowhere else in the world. The scientific name of the genus is probably related to the mythical Centaur Chiron, teacher of Asclepius on the subject of medicinal plants and educator of Achilles. Chiron used this herb to heal the wound that Hercules had accidentally inflicted on his leg.

Due to its relatively wide distribution on Mount Paggaio, no particular threats and pressures were observed or reported, which could lead to a significant reduction in its population.

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It is not subjected to any national or international conservation status.