Centaurium erythraeaRafn - Common Centaury
Scientific Description:
Usually biennial with a distinct basal rosette. Stem 5−50(−80) cm, corymbosely branched above. Basal leaves obovate to elliptical, 3−7-veined, uppermost linear. Flowers sessile or shortly pedicellate. Calyx 3−7 mm, 1/2−3/4 × corolla tube. Corolla pink to purple, rarely white; tube 6−11 mm, lobes 4−9 mm (A complex species in need of further investigation, with 4 subspecies occurring in Turkey).
subsp. erythraea
Stems, bracts and calyces smooth.
Flowering time: May−August.
Habitat: Sunny banks, rocky slopes, scrub and open forest, s.l.−900 m.
subsp. rumelicum (Velen.) Melderis
Corolla lobes usually 2.5−5 mm; inflorescence lax; annual.
Flowering Time: June−July.
Habitat: Stony pastures, open forests, s.l. −500 m.
Reference:
Jakobsen K (1978). Centaurium erythraea Rafn, In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 6: 178.
Public Description:
Centaurium erythraea, common name “common centaury”, is a widespread plant of Europe and parts of western Asia and northern Africa. It has also naturalised in parts of North America, and throughout eastern Australia, where it is an introduced species. It is a biennial herbaceous plant with pink or purple, rarely white flowers. The common centaury is used as a medical herb in many parts of Europe. The herb, mainly prepared as tea, is thought to possess medical properties beneficial for patients with gastric and liver diseases. It is also a powerful antioxidant. It may cause mild abdominal discomfort and cramps.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centaurium_erythraea/, Accessed date: 13.02.2016.
Anonymous 2 (2016). http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Centaurium+erythraea, Accessed date: 13.02.2016.
Çiçek M (2012). Centaurium Hill, In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 512–513.