The components involved in the formation of protocyanin, a stable blue complex pigment from the blue cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, were investigated. Reconstruction experiments using highly purified anthocyanin [centaurocyanin, cyanidin 3-O-(6-O-succinylglucoside)-5-O-glucoside], flavone glycoside
Anthocyanins and other flavonoids were isolated from the flowers of eleven Centaurea species, C. macrocephala, C. rupestotilis and C. suaveolens, which produce yellow flowers, and C. achtarovii, C. dealbata, C. montana, C. nigra, C. scabiosa, C. simplicicaulis, C. hypoleuca and C. triumfetti, which