Centaurium tenuiflorum
slender centaury
Mediterranean region and western Europe
Overview
Centaurium tenuiflorum is an erect annual or biennial herb growing 6-20 inches (15-50 cm) tall, with a basal rosette of leaves and a slender, often branched flowering stem. The stem leaves are narrow, opposite, and stalkless, 0.4-1.2 inches (10-30 mm) long. Small pink, five-lobed flowers about 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) across are carried in dense, flat-topped clusters at the stem tips, opening from late spring into summer. The flowers open in sunlight and close in dull conditions. The plant completes its life cycle within one or two seasons, setting numerous tiny seeds, then dying. It grows on disturbed ground, roadsides, pasture, and damp open sites. Introduced from the Mediterranean region, it behaves as a naturalized weed across parts of Australia and other temperate areas, where it can spread along disturbed ground.
Native Range
Native to the Mediterranean region and parts of western Europe. Widely naturalized in temperate regions including southern and eastern Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas, where it grows on roadsides, disturbed ground, pasture, and seasonally damp open sites.Suggested Uses
Occurs as a naturalized weed rather than a cultivated plant and is not used in deliberate plantings. It appears on roadsides, in pasture, and on disturbed open ground. In areas where it is naturalized, its spread on bare ground is managed rather than encouraged.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'8"
Width/Spread3" - 8"
Bloom Information
Flowers from late spring through summer, mainly October to February in southern Australia. Clusters open over several weeks, with flowers opening in sun and closing under cloud. Plants die after flowering and seed set, completing their cycle in a single warm season.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs