CENTAURIUM ERYTHRAEA subsp. ERYTHRAEA

Including:- Subsp. rumelicum resembling Subsp. erythraea, but differing in the

following characteristics, small, slender plant, middle cauline leaves linear-oblong,

acute. Inflorescence lax. Corolla lobes 3-5 mm

Family and Genus:- See- GENTIANACEAE/Sect. CENTAURIUM

Common Name:- Common centaury

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Centaurium (L) For the centaur, Chiron, who was said to have a wide

knowledge of herbs.

Erythraea (Gr) Reddish.

Rumelicum (L) From Roumelia, SE Europe.

General description:- Variable short to medium biennial.

Stem:-

1) (3-)10-50 cm. Generally solitary, sometimes several, usually branched in the

upper part.

Leaves:-

1) Basal, obovate to elliptic, 1-5 cm long, with a blunt tip 3-7 veined.

3) Middle cauline, usually narrowly lance-shaped or narrowly elliptical.

4) Lower, in a distinct, persistent rosette.

5) Upper cauline, much smaller 3-veined and pointed.

Flowers:-

1) Pink to purplish, rarely white.

2) Flowers, in a corymbiform, capitate or dichasial cyme, rarely solitary.

3) Corolla-lobes, usually 5-6 mm.

4) Calyx, usually c. ½ as long as the corolla-tube.

5) Stamens, inserted at the apex or at the base.

Fruit:-

1) A septicidal capsule, valves remain attached.

Key features:-

1) Corolla-lobes usually 5-6 mm.

2) Middle cauline leaves lanceolate, narrowly lanceolate or narrowly elliptical.

3) Inflorescence dense.

4) Stem, margin of leaves, bracts and calyx smooth.

5) Cauline leaves usually lanceolate or wider, rarely linear-spathulate, never parallel-

sided, usually 3- veined.

6) Rosette leaves, more than 5 mm wide, 3- to 7-veined oblong-obovate or obovate,

sided, usually 3- veined.

7) Calyx, usually 1/2 as long as the corolla-tube.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Coastal habitats, scrubland vegetation, damp pastures, open meadows

and woodland. 0-1100 m.

Distribution:- Widespread around the Mediterranean but not common. Scattered

mainly across central and western Crete. With one location discovered on Afendis

Kavousi in 2011

Flowering time:- Late Apr to early Aug.

Photo by:- Steve Lenton