The “Yanardöner”
Binomial name: Centaurea Tchihatcheffii
Blooms in: April-June
General Definition: This plant is from the Daisy family, a genus of cornflower (centaurea). The Centaurea Tchihatcheffii species, locally known as the “Yanardöner”, or the iridescent flower, is a plant native to Türkiye, and grows only in the western side of Gölbaşı, Ankara, within a 1km² area. t is an extremely rare, showy, and beautiful species that requires special protection due to the suppression by steppe plants. It is an annual, herbaceous plant. Its flowers are purple, red, and pink. It blooms in May and June. It is widespread in steppe ecosystems and crop fields. The Yanardöner is distinguished from other centauraceae with its unique features such as the corrugation of its leaves, and its ability to reflect light.
The Yanardöner is listed as endangered as per IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) criteria and is on the list of strictly protected plant species according to the Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Habitats).
The phrase “yanardöner” is a vernacular name that means iridescent, and suits this cornflower, only available in the Gölbaşı region of Ankara The flower earned its name because of its majestic purple-red petals. Although there is another incidence report from Afyon dating back to 1848, no other report has been from the province so far. Although it is common in the fields around Gölbaşı, it has been thinning in numbers. In recent years, the species has been damaged by intensive agriculture and herbicide use. The place where it currently grows most abundantly is an unsuccessful afforestation area right on the edge of Gölbaşı. Ecological agriculture efforts around Gölbaşı may prevent this lover of light from withering away for good.
Please note that our iridescent flower from the daisy family was actually sold at florist shops, but recently they have become unavailable. We believe that, with the support of the municipality and voluntary organizations, this flower will also provide great benefits in terms of regional tourism; and that instead of collecting wild ones to sell, florists, and everyone else, could grow their own. Gölbaşı used to be known for its lakes and the andesite, until now. Today, the cornflower is in the picture, as well. An urgent action plan has been prepared for the protection of the cornflower, an endemic in Gölbaşı, and actually endangered; and studies on the subject are ongoing.
The seeds were planted in the area prepared in November 2006 at the Atılım University campus, and they bloomed from the 2nd week of April 2007. Grown under protection, the Yanardöner stayed in bloom at the campus with its majestic flowers until mid-June. The seeds are collected from the blooms to be replanted in areas that we add each year, marking our success in their production. In order to prevent the extinction of this flower, our unit provides seeds to those who are looking to grow it and provides information about the methods.
Production:
The iridescent flowers that bloom in mid-April continue their existence with their majestic flowers until June. In mid-July, after the flowers have completely dried, the dry flowers are collected and their seeds are separated. The collected seeds are stored in cool and dry places until November. In mid-November, 1-cm layer soil is laid on the seeds that are planted in previously prepared and aerated soil to complete the planting process. The planted seeds bloom in April the following year.
The Yanardöner Flower - The Flower of Love
With seeds planted after preparation in a specific area in November 2006 by the Office of Environmental Arrangement and Protection Studies, the Centaurea tchihatcheffii (yanardöner) has bloomed in the 2nd week of April 2007. The Yanardöner under our protection remained in bloom at our campus with its magnificent flowers until mid-June.
In November 2008, soil preparation was made on the flowerbed area at the Campus Square, and the seeds collected and preserved from the previous year were planted They bloomed in April 2009, the flowering phase was completed in July and the flower seeds were collected, again.
In November 2009, after soil preparation was made on 3 separate flowerbeds at our campus, Centaurea tchihatcheffii (yanardöner) seeds were planted again.
This year, a new flowerbed area of 1 m2 was created in front of the Science and Entertainment Center Building for Centaurea tchihatcheffii (yanardöner) seeds, and the seeds were planted with the Science and Entertainment Center students.
Within the scope of ASEL 351 Social Responsibility Projects, and upon the request of the Directorate of Civil Initiative and Volunteer Work, information was provided to the 5th grade students of Erken Başarı Koleji, visiting our University with a slide show and presentation about Centaurea tchihatcheffii (yanardöner). Within this scope, flowerbeds were created in the gardens of four elementary schools around Gölbaşı, and flower seeds were planted. In November 2008, more seeds were planted in the flowerbed areas prepared with the 3rd grade students of TEK İncek Elementary and Erken Başarı Koleji, the Kindergarten students of Baldudak Elementary, and the 6th grade students (4 sections) of Tevfik Fikret Koleji.
Within the scope of ASEL 351 Social Responsibility Projects, and with the help of the Directorate of Civil Initiative and Volunteer Work, the number of elementary schools where Centaurea tchihatcheffii (yanardöner) gardens were to be created was determined as 9 through correspondences with the elementary schools around Gölbaşı.
In November 2009, Centaurea tchihatcheffii (yanardöner) gardens were created at 9 elementaries, and presented as gifts on behalf of our University, with necessary information provided on growing and maintaining the flower.
- İlkem Koleji
- Nesibe Aydın Schools (2nd Grade)
- Gürçay Koleji (Kindergarten)
- Aykan Koleji (6th Grade)
- Erken Başarı Koleji (7th Grade)
- TEK İncek Elementary (5th Grade)
- Taşpınar Elementary (6th Grade)
- Baldudak Elementary (Kindergarten)
- Maya Koleji (6th Grade)
