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Syrian Cephalaria (Cephalaria syriaca)

Syrian Cephalaria, scientifically known as Cephalaria syriaca, is a flowering plant belonging to the genus Cephalaria.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cephalaria syriaca (L.) Schrad. ex Roem. & Schult.
• Common Name: Syrian Cephalaria, Syrian Scabious
• Family: Dipsacaceae or Caprifoliaceae (sources vary)
• Genus: Cephalaria
• Synonyms: Cephalaria syriaca Roem. & Schult.

Distribution and Habitat

Cephalaria syriaca is native to the Mediterranean region, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It can also be found in Antarctica, Ireland, Israel and Italy including Sicilia and the United States.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Cephalaria syriaca is an annual herb, specifically a forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
• Its flower type is hermaphrodite.

Ecological Role

In Jordan and Syria, it is considered a weed in wheat fields, known locally as "zawan" in Arabic. In some regions, it is often encaged to grow in wheatfields in Russia so that its edible seed will be mixed with the wheat grain when this is harvested.

Uses

• The seed of Cephalaria syriaca contains approximately 22.6% oil and has been used as a fuel source.
• The edible seeds were sometimes mixed with wheat grain during harvest.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Studies have investigated the effect of root and shoot extracts of Cephalaria syriaca on wheat seeds (Triticum aestivum).
• It has been noted as a competitive weed alongside musk thistle in wheat fields in the Anatolian region.

Further Information

• Discover Life offers information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Cephalaria syriaca.
• TSN 501360 in Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS)