Centaurea cyanus aka Cornflower

Centaurea cyanus, commonly known as cornflower or bachelor's button, is an annual flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Europe. It typically grows between 1 to 3 feet tall, with lance-shaped, grey-green leaves. The plant produces large and showy flower-heads from late spring through the summer, featuring deep blue florets surrounding dark purple stamens in the center. These fragrant flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators, while the seeds are a source of food for birds. In the past, it was considered a weed in cornfields, giving rise to its name. Unfortunately, Centaurea cyanus is now endangered in its native habitat due to the overuse of herbicides and agricultural intensification. However, it has been introduced as an ornamental plant in gardens and has also spread as a seed contaminant in crop seeds in various parts of the world, including North America and parts of Australia.