Centaurium pulchellum

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Centaurium pulchellum
CentauriumPulchellum.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Gentianaceae
Genus: Centaurium
Species:
C. pulchellum
Binomial name
Centaurium pulchellum
(Sw.) Druce

Centaurium pulchellum is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common name lesser centaury, [1] or slender centaury. [2] It differs from Centaurium erythraea by lacking basal rosette of leaves and by having a developed peduncle below the flowers. It is often much smaller, less than ten centimetres. It is native to the southern temperate parts of Europe.

Contents

Description

Lesser centaury is an erect annual herb branching from the base, often less than 10 cm (4 in) tall, and much smaller than common centaury (Centaurium erythraea). Sometimes it is reduced to a single stem with one flower. By the time it flowers, from June to September, there is no basal rosette. The leafy stem has opposite pairs of narrow oval leaves. The inflorescence is a group of a few pale pink star-like flowers, each with a short stalk, a tube and five narrow petals, about 1 cm (0.4 in) across, flat-faced with yellow anthers. Like other members of the family, the flowers close in the afternoon. The calyx is about as long as the fruit, which is a cylindrical capsule. [2] [3]

Distribution and habitat

This plant is found in the southerly temperate zones of Europe. It occurs mainly in the southern half of the British Isles, especially near the south coast of England. It grows on a range of soil types, from calcareous to mildly acidic. On the coast it can be found in open sandy and muddy turf, often in saltmarshes, sand dunes and beside estuaries. Inland it inhabits lowland dry, open grasslands, heaths, woodland glades and rides, marl pits and other unshaded, disturbed ground. [4] In Morecambe Bay, it is at the northern end of its range on the saltmarshes, growing with Juncus gerardii , Juncus maritimus , Blysmus rufus and Eleocharis quinqueflora . [5]

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<i>Centaurium erythraea</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Zeltnera muehlenbergii</i> Species of plant

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<i>Centaurium calycosum</i> Species of plant

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<i>Centaurium exaltatum</i> Species of plant

Centaurium exaltatum is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common names desert centaury and tall centaury. It is native to much of western North America from British Columbia to Arizona to Nebraska, where it grows in moist areas, generally with alkaline soils. This is an annual herb which is variable in appearance, especially in different habitat types. It grows up to about 35 centimeters in height, its slender stem with widely spaced pairs of oppositely arranged, pointed leaves 1 to 3 centimeters long. The inflorescence is an open array of flowers, each on a pedicel which may be several centimeters in length. The flower has generally four or five white or pink lobes, each somewhat rolled to appear narrow in shape.

<i>Lobelia urens</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Potentilla norvegica</i> Species of flowering plant

Potentilla norvegica is a species of cinquefoil known by the common names rough cinquefoil, ternate-leaved cinquefoil, and Norwegian cinquefoil. It is native to Europe, Asia, and parts of North America, and it can be found elsewhere as an introduced species.

<i>Silene gallica</i> Species of flowering plant

Silene gallica is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by several common names, including common catchfly, small-flowered catchfly, and windmill pink. It is native to Eurasia and North Africa, but it can be found throughout much of the temperate world as a common roadside weed.

References

  1. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. 1 2 McClintock, David; Fitter, R.S.R. (1961). The Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers. London: Collins. p. 129.
  3. "Lesser centaury". The Wildlife Trusts. Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  4. "Centaurium pulchellum". Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora. JNCC. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
  5. "Atlantic salt meadows". JNCC. Retrieved 2020-03-17.