Gentianaceae: Gentian Family
Slender Centaury – Centaurium tenuiflorum
Blooms:
June-Aug
Plant Height:
2-75 cm
Flower Size:
Small
Origin:
Eurasian
Habitat:
Fields, roadsides and open woodland
Notes:
This has a dense, generally flat-topped inflorescence of bright pink flowers with white centers. Flowers are similar to Davy’s Centaury (Zeltnera davyi, see below), but smaller (corolla lobes 2-4.5 mm) and ± sessile. There are 2 stigmas, with elliptic to ovate lobes. Note: Centaurium used to include all the Centauries, but is now confined to Eurasian species. California species are found in Zeltnera. Photographs by CJH.
Timwort / American Microcala – Cicendia quadrangularis
Blooms:
Mar–May
Plant Height:
< 9 cm
Flower Size:
Very small
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Grassy places
Notes:
A small, low-growing glabrous plant. The flower is very small and salverform (composed of united petals forming a tube that spreads at the open end). It has 4 abruptly spreading, bright yellow lobes. More distinctive is its quadrangular calyx, appearing truncated both top and bottom. Stems are narrow, with opposite basal and cauline leaves.
Davy’s Centaury – Zeltnera davyi
Blooms:
May–Aug
Plant Height:
2–30 cm
Flower Size:
Small
Origin:
Native
Habitat:
Moist coastal bluffs, dunes, chaparral & open forest
Notes:
A delightful small flower, generally found in small groups but can appear in profusion. The corolla lobes are 3–7 mm across, bright pink with a white center Pure white forms are sometimes found. There are 2 wedge-or fan-shaped stigmas, in a figure-eight formation. Photo #3 by CJH.
