Compared with the widespread centaurium erythraea, centaurium pulchellum has smaller petals coloured darker pink, leaves along the stem only, not at the base, and a more open branching pattern, the inflorescence relatively wider.
Common name:
Lesser centaury
Family:
Scientific name:
Centaurium pulchellum
Main flower color:
Range:
South England and south Wales; mainly coastal
Height:
Up to 15 cm
Habitat:
Short, damp grassland, on both acidic and basic soils
Flowers:
Dark pink, up to 8 mm across; a narrow, greenish, tubular corolla with five (occasionally four) spreading pink ovate petals. Sometimes solitary, usually in open, forked clusters, with lower branches longer than upper. Flowers are attached by short but noticeable stalks, up to 4 mm
Leaves:
Opposite, elliptical; only along the stem, not at the base
Season:
June to September
Rarity:
★★★★★
