PlantFiles: Dusty Miller, Ragusa, Dubrovnik Cornflower, Dubrovacka Zecina
Centaurea ragusina

Dubrovnik cornflower is an endemic plant spread on the mainland and on the islands of central and southern Dalmatia. Being a rare endemic species of remarkable appearance, the plant is protected by the law. It grows on rocks around Cavtat, on the islands of Mrkan and Bobara, on Dugi otok, on the island of Hvar, on Marijan hill and the walls of the Diocletian's palace in Split. In addition to being rare in the wild, this species, once the most commonly grown 'Dusty Miller' in the horticultural trade in many countries, is now almost impossible to find in the trade, replaced by other species (e.g. the coarser Senecio maritima). I am looking for stock of this plant in California - if anyone knows of this plant's existence in the state, please let me know! The unique character of this plant might still find a role in mediterranean gardens, especially considering its association with the historical Dubrovnik Republic which flourished on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea for a millenium and infleunced many other regions during its time.