CENTAURIUM ERYTHRAEA subsp. RHODENSE

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

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Centaurium majus subsp. rhodense, Centaurium

rhodense, Erythraea rhodensis.

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

knowledge of herbs.

Erythraea (Gr) Reddish.

Rhodense (L) From Rhodes.

Stem:-

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

scabrid.

Leaves:-

1) Rosette,1-5 x 0·8-2 cm, obovate to elliptical, usually obtuse, 3- to 7- veined.

2) Cauline, narrowly elliptical, linear-oblong or linear-spathulate, acute,

conspicuously decreasing upwards, 3-veined.

Flowers:-

1) Pink, pedicellate (the central often sessile or subsessile), in a lax cyme.

2) Calyx, scabrid, (1/2-)2/3-3/4 as long as the corolla-tube.

3) Corolla-lobes, usually 5-7 mm, narrowly elliptical, acute.

Fruit:-

1) A septicidal capsule, distinctly exceeding the calyx, valves remaining attached.

Key features:-

1) Stem branched usually from the base or middle.

2) Rosette-leaves oblanceolate or narrowly elliptical, ± acute.

3) Flowers, usually pedicellate, in a lax corymbiform cyme.

4) Corolla-lobes, usually acute, 5-7 mm, pink, more than ½ as long as the tube.

5) Calyx, usually 2/3-3/4 as long as the corolla-tube.

6) Capsule, distinctly exceeding the calyx.

7) Upper part of the stem, bracts and calyces scabrid.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

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

and woodland. 0-1100 m.

Distribution:- Throughout Europe, C. & E. parts of the Mediterranean region.

Scattered across Crete. Not common.

Flowering time:- Late Apr to early Aug.

Photos by:- Fotis Samaritakis