Common Centaury
Centaurium erythraea · Herbaceous Biennial (Not a true tree)
Plant Family
Gentianaceae
Tree Category
Wildflower / Herb / Ornamental Herbaceous
Variety / Cultivar
None specified (Wild type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-9; highly adaptable to various temperate climates.
About This Tree
While not a tree, this is a small, upright herbaceous biennial growing between 10 to 50 cm tall. It features a basal rosette of leaves and a stiff, four-sided stem that branches near the top into flat-topped clusters (cymes) of bright pink flowers.
Leaf Characteristics
Basal leaves are ovate-elliptical in a rosette; stem leaves are opposite, sessile, and narrower. All leaves have 3-5 distinct longitudinal veins and smooth margins.
Bark Characteristics
Does not possess true bark; features a yellowish-green, glabrous (smooth), somewhat square/angular stem that becomes slightly woody at the base when mature.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and parts of Western Asia and North Africa; naturalized in North America and Oceania.
Growing Season
Spring leafing, summer flowering (June–September), and dormancy in winter. Usually flowers in its second year.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers well-drained, moist to dry soils. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established but prefers consistent moisture.
Mature Size
Height: 4–20 inches (10–50 cm); Spread: 2–6 inches; Growth Rate: Moderate (Biennial cycle).
Special Characteristics
Known for its medicinal history as a bitter digestive tonic. The flowers only open in bright sunlight and close during cloudy weather.
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts various small pollinators including bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. It provides nectar in disturbed habitats, meadows, and dunes.