SafePlants

Centaurium calycosum (Arizona Centaury)

Centaurium calycosum, commonly known as Arizona centaury, shortflower centaury, rosita, or Buckley centaury, is a flowering plant belonging to the Gentianaceae (Gentian) family.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant is an annual herb with stems that can grow up to 70 cm tall.
• It can grow in saline wet areas.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Centaurium calycosum (Buckley) Fernald
• Family: Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Synonyms:
  • Centaurium arizonicum
  • Zeltnera arizonica
  • Centaurium calycosum var. arizonicum
  • Zeltnera calycosa (Accepted Name)
  • Centaurium breviflorum

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.
• Found in saline wet areas.
• Observed in locations such as Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM; Grand Canyon National Park, AZ; White Sands National Monument, Alamogordo, New Mexico; and Mount Livermore, Jeff Davis County, TX.

Morphological Characteristics

• Annual or biennial herb.
• Stems are erect, angled, simple or branched, up to 70 cm tall.
• Leaves are opposite, sessile or petioled, lanceolate, oblanceolate, or obovate.
• Flowers are bright pink, about 1.5 cm in size, with five petals and white centers.

Quirky Facts

• The plant is sometimes referred to as "Rosita", which translates to "little rose" in Spanish, possibly referencing the flower's pink color and shape.
• It thrives in unique environments, such as the gypsum dunefield of White Sands National Monument.

Resources

• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
• Wikimedia Commons
• Dave's Garden
• Discover Life