Cornflower

Common · Centaurea cyanus

Healing · Alchemical · Magical · Poisonous

Terrain Grassland, Hills, Urban

Description

The three most common species of this plant are the meadow cornflower (Centaurea jacea), the Phrygian cornflower (Centaurea phrygia), and the rough cornflower (Centaurea scabiosa). The meadow cornflower reaches a height of up to 3 feet (1 meter) and begins flowering in the wild only in its sixth year. Large lilac-purple flowers are located at the tops of stems and at the ends of side branches. The flower heads are often grouped in clusters of 2-3, making the stem resemble a bouquet. Another species, the Phrygian cornflower, differs from the meadow variety with its pinkish flowers.

Location and Habitat

The plant is quite widespread and commonly found throughout Europe and much of the temperate zone.

Rarity and Availability

It is not considered a rare or protected species and is usually easily accessible in fields and agricultural landscapes, especially in fields with rye and other cereal crops.

Effects and Uses

Only the marginal bright blue flowers of the cornflower, harvested in summer, possess medicinal properties. Their petals contain anthocyanins and coumarins. In folk medicine, cornflower infused in vodka is considered a remedy for colds and is used as a diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory agent. A decoction of it is recommended as eye compress for inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes.

Harvesting & Preparation

• Only the bright blue marginal flowers have healing or magical properties. Harvesting them without damaging potency requires a DC 12 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check or Wisdom (herbalism kit) check.
• On a success, you gather 1d4 doses. On a failure, half the gathered flowers are ruined (round down to a minimum of 0).

Items & Effects

• Cornflower Infusion. When properly steeped or infused, cornflower can soothe inflammation, reduce fevers, and potentially ward off minor illnesses.
  • Creation. Requires 1 hour, 1 dose of cornflower petals, clean water or mild spirits, and a DC 12 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check. On a success, you produce 1d2 vials of Cornflower Infusion.
  • Use (Ingested). Drinking a vial as an action grants the following benefits for 8 hours:
    • Fever Break. You gain advantage on saving throws against disease and the poisoned (PHB, p. 292) condition caused by natural toxins (e.g., spoiled food).
    • Mild Anti-Inflammatory. You recover 1 additional hit point for each Hit Die spent during a short rest in the effect’s duration.
• Eye Compress.
  • Creation.
    • Requires 2 hours of gentle simmering and 1 dose of cornflower petals, plus a strip of cloth or clean bandage.
    • A DC 13 Wisdom (herbalism kit) check yields 1-2 usable compresses.
  • Use (Applied Externally). One compress can be applied to a willing creature’s eyes for 10 minutes. The target then gains advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks related to sight for 1 hour afterward, reflecting relief from eye strain.
  • Optional Flavor—Rune of Purity. Some cultures inscribe a tiny protective rune on the bandage. At the GM’s discretion, creatures wearing the compress can also gain advantage on saving throws against illusions (if the illusions primarily deceive sight).
• Centaur’s Balm. Based on the legendary healing knowledge of Chiron, this rarer preparation includes other healing herbs plus the bright blue petals of cornflower.
  • Creation.
    • Requires 8 hours, 2 doses of cornflower petals, and rare oils/ reagents worth 25 gp.
    • A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check or Wisdom (herbalism kit) check produces 1 jar of Centaur’s Balm (5 uses).
  • Use (Applied Externally). As an action, apply the salve to a creature’s wounds.
    • Restorative Burst. The target regains 2d4 + 2 hit points.
  • Drawback. If a creature uses Centaur’s Balm more than once in a 24-hour period, the second application only heals for half.
• Crawling Seeds. Though the petals are generally beneficial, the seeds can be toxic, particularly for animals—and can be magically weaponized.
  • If ingested unnoticed, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become poisoned for 1 hour. On a failure by 5 or more, the target is also paralyzed (PHB, p. 292) for 1d4 rounds, reflecting severe abdominal distress and partial numbness.

Lore

The Centaur's Flower—the blue cornflower—is known not only for its beauty and legends, but also as a weed capable of depleting crops, causing poisoning, and, in skilled hands, serving as a medicine.

This flower is one of the most popular elements in folk embroidery, where artisans often depict it alongside ears of rye. We're talking about the blue cornflower.

Even the ancient Romans were well acquainted with the cornflower and crafted many legends about it.

From Witch’s Herbs 5E, p. 34 · Fern Flower Press