Centaurium littorale Seaside Centaury

An erect, winter annual, biennial or shortly-lived perennial centaury which grows up to 25cm tall with a dense inflorescence. It can be confused with Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea), but it is usually shorter with thicker, leathery foliage and leaves that are narrow and almost parallel with 3 rather obscure veins. It is a very local species, coastal species in Britain mostly found on the northwest coast in dune slacks, along the edges of the upper salt marsh and sometimes along paths on sea cliffs. Its status in West Glamorgan is uncertain and many records may be misidentifications of small Common Centaury plants.

Native