The Elusive Cornflower of the Apennines

An endemic species of the Apennines, recorded since the 19th century in the floristic collections of Gussone, who described it from the mountains of Abruzzo. Its populations, typical of dry mountain pastures, have often been used as indicators of open and low-disturbance habitats. Traditionally, like other Centaurea species, it was considered beneficial for pollinators, especially bees and bumblebees, and was sometimes left in pastures to promote biodiversity. Although not among the most widely used medicinal plants, some local herbal traditions report that dried flower heads were once collected for minor ornamental uses or as a light pink dye. The name “ambigua” refers to the long-standing taxonomic debates surrounding the species, reflecting the remarkable variability of Apennine flora.