Catananche is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is native to dry meadows in the Mediterranean region.

They are cultivated for their cornflower-like blooms appearing in summer, in shades of blue, yellow and white. They are suitable for a sunny border, and for dried flower arrangements.

Species

  • Catananche arenaria Coss. & Durieu - Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania
  • Catananche caerulea L. - Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco
  • Catananche caespitosa Desf. - Algeria, Morocco
  • Catananche lutea L. - Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Macedonia, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco
  • Catananche montana Coss. & Durieu - Algeria, Morocco

Phylogeny

According to recent genetic analyses, the genus Catananche is related to the genera Hymenonema, Scolymus and Gundelia. This results in the following relationship tree.

subtribe ScolyminaeGundelia Catananche Hymenonema Scolymus
Gundelia
Catananche Hymenonema Scolymus
Catananche
Hymenonema Scolymus
Hymenonema
Scolymus