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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Centaurium calycosum

Centaurium calycosum (Buckley) Fernald

Arizona Centaury, Shortflower Centaury, Rosita, Buckley Centaury

Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)

Synonym(s): Centaurium breviflorum, Centaurium calycosum var. breviflorum, Centaurium calycosum var. nanum, Erythraea calycosa

USDA Symbol: CECA3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This attractive member of the Gentian family grows from Central Texas west. It prefers moist places at altitudes under 4,000 feet. It is a low-branching plant usually 8-12 inches tall, with little foliage, so that the numerous pink flowers grow in a tight cluster, like a bouquet or corsage. Leaves are rarely more than 1/2 inch long, the blossoms 1 inch across. It has an unbelievable number of buds, which continue to bloom for days, even when picked. Blossoms are tubular with 5 starlike lobes and a small white eye in the center.

The brilliant pink corolla resembles that of Phlox species, which have three branches on the style; the style on Centaurium species ends with a small knob or two short branches.

From the Image Gallery

10 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall, often shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: MO , TX
Native Distribution: Southeastern California northeast to southern Utah, east to central Texas, and south to northern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Moist open areas along streams, in prairies and meadows, and on hillsides.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	FACW		FACW			FACW		FACW

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Centaurium calycosum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Centaurium calycosum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Centaurium calycosum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-04
Research By: TWC Staff

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