CornflowerCyanus segetum

Cyanus segetum, commonly known as cornflower or bachelor’s button, is an annual wildflower native to Europe and long associated with traditional grain fields. It is instantly recognizable by its vivid, electric-blue flower heads—an uncommon hue in wild flora—formed from distinctive, star-shaped florets. The genus name Cyanus stems from the Greek kyanos, meaning “deep blue,” a tribute to its striking color. Historically, cornflower blue symbolized fertility and fidelity in rural European folklore, and the plant became an emblem of Romantic-era landscapes once common in wheat fields. Unlike many arable weeds, Cyanus segetum has declined due to modern agriculture, giving it a special cultural status as a symbol of vanished traditional farmlands.

Scientific Name

Cyanus segetum

Family

Asteraceae

Order

Asterales

Lifespan

Annual

Blossom Color

Blue

Blossom Symmetry

Radial