Centaurea austrobalcanicus subsp. austrobalcanicus

Appearance

Currently 2 subspecies of Centaurea austrobalcanicus are recognised - Centaurea austrobalcanicus subsp. austrobalcanicus and Centaurea austrobalcanicus subsp. prisadanus.
Apart from the distribution regions traits related to indument, stem length, number and shape of stem leaves, the shape of the involucrum and the shape of involucral bracts contribute considerably to their differentiation.

Distribution

Centaurea austrobalcanica subsp. austrobalcanica occures in South-eastern Bulgaria and North Green, while Centaurea austrobalcanica subsp. prisadabus in North Macedonia, but possibly extends to Mt Tzena in northernmost Greece (NC, Nomos Pella), where at least transitional material between the two subspecies has been collected on the Greek side of the border.