Centaurium erythraea Common Centaury

An attractive, biennial centaury which is widespread and common in much of Britain. Most of our plants are referrable to Centaurium erythraea subsp.erythraea. It grows in grassy places and on sandy or gritty soils that are well drained. The densely umbellate inflorescence is usually pink flowered but white-flowered populations also occur. It is quite variable in size and sometimes quite short and bushy (especially coastal plants) when it could be confused with Seaside Centaury (Centaurium littorale). However, the basal rosette leaves of Common Centaury have 3 veins while those of Seaside Century have a single vein. Also the stem leaves of Common Centaury are elliptical in shape while those of Seaside Centaury are narrowly oblong. Common Centaury is widespread and common in West Glamorgan occuring in coastal grasslands, open mosaic habitats and also inland, particularly along forest roads and on coal tips.

Native