Cephalaria transsylvanica (L.) Roem. & Schult.

Pincushion Flower

© SRTurner

Family - Caprifoliaceae

Habit - Slender, fibrous-rooted annual forb.

	Roots.
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Stems - Ascending to erect, to 1.5 m, longitudinally grooved, branched above the lower half, moderately long-hairy below, becoming glabrous above.

	Lower stem and node.
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	Upper stem and leaves.
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Leaves - Opposite, deeply pinnatifid. Lower leaves oblong, to 20 cm long, with 6-10 segments, usually conspicuously hairy, the lateral segments oblong-lanceolate, to 3.5 cm long, sparsely toothed, the terminal segment larger than lateral ones, lanceolate, to 6.5 cm. Cauline leaves lanceolate, to 11 cm, with 4-8 segments. Upper leaves sessile, lanceolate, to 3 cm, with 2-4 segments, the lateral segments linear.

	Stem and lower leaves.
© SRTurner

	Lower stem leaf, adaxial.
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	Lower leaf adaxial surface.
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	Lower stem leaf, abaxial.
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	Lower leaf abaxial surface.
© SRTurner

Inflorescences - Heads borne on long stalks.

	Inflorescences.
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Heads - Globose, 0.5-2.5 cm in diameter when in flower, 0.5-2 cm in diameter in fruit. Involucral bracts ovate, to 5.5 mm, completely straw-coloured or straw-coloured in dorsal and at base, purple at apex, finely hairy, the margins sparsely ciliate, the apex long-tapered and sharply pointed. Receptacular bracts ovate to lanceolate, to 9 mm, completely straw-coloured or straw-coloured at base and purple at apex, finely hairy, the margins ciliate, the apex sharply pointed.

	Flowering head.
© SRTurner

	Involucre.
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Florets - Calyces cup-shaped, 1 mm in diameter, with numerous bristles. Corolla tubular, 4-lobed at apex, 7-11 mm long, pale blue, lilac or white, the exterior appressed-hairy. Stamens 4, fused to the corolla interior, exserted, the anthers blue. Involucel 4-5 mm long in fruit, 4-angled, brown or pale brown, hairy, with 8 minute apical teeth at apex (sometimes 4 are minute).

	Florets.
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	Sectioned head showing florets.
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Fruits - No information.

	Fruiting heads.
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	Section of fruiting head.
© SRTurner

	Involucels with 8 minute teeth.
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	Fruits.
© SRTurner

Flowering - August - September.

Habitat - Roadsides

Origin - Eurasia

Lookalikes - Other members of the complex, such as Knautia arvensis, which are currently rare or absent in Missouri.

Other info. - This unusual species has recently become well-established along roadsides in the southwestern region of the state. It can form large populations in disturbed areas and poses an invasion threat, although thus far it has apparently not made great inroads into intact native communities. The plant was first reported in Arkansas by Theo Witsell, and subsequently in Missouri, in 2008 by Linda Ellis. At that time, the plants were identified as Scabiosa atropurpurea. Subsequent examination by Nathan Aaron led to the Cephalaria transsylvaninca determination, based on a key published in the Turkish Journal of Botany [Gokturk, et al 2014 "A taxonomic revision of the genus Cephalaria (Caprifoliaceae) in Turkey," Turkish Journal of Botany: Vol. 38: No. 5, Article 9.] This determination should be considered tentative pending further examination. Certainly the species belongs to a confusing complex of similar plants, which has been placed in both the Caprifoliaceae and the Dipsacaceae.

Plants in this complex are recognized by their pretty flowering heads with blue anthers atop long, spindly stalks, spiny fruiting heads, and opposite, deeply pinnatifid lower leaves. Although this plant could be considered attractive with its interesting flowering and fruiting heads, it should not be deliberately planted. Dense colonies along roadsides in the southwestern part of the state attest to the plant's aggressive nature and suggest its potential to become a serious invasive.

Photographs taken along roadsides in the vicinity of Bona Glade Natural Area, Dade County, MO, 8-5-2024 (SRTurner).