Cephalaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Caprifoliaceae. It includes 102 species native to southern Europe, western and central Asia, and northern and southern Africa.[1]

They are annual or perennial herbaceous plants growing to 0.8–2 m tall.

Cephalaria species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Schinia imperialis, which feeds exclusively on C. procera.

Species

102 species are accepted.[1]

Cultivation and uses

Some species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens. The most popular species is C. gigantea, a perennial species from the Caucasus growing to 2 m tall, valued for its strong erect growth with dark green foliage and yellow flowers.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Cephalaria Schrad". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  2. ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan. ISBN 0-333-47494-5.