SafePlants

Centaury: A Botanical Overview

Centaury is a name applied to several plants, most notably those belonging to the genus Centaurium and, sometimes, Centaurea. This overview primarily focuses on Centaurium erythraea.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Centaurium erythraea Rafn (also sometimes seen as Erythraea centaurium Pers.)
• Common Names: Common Centaury, European Centaury, Lesser Centaury, Feverwort, Red Centaury.
• Family: Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)
• Synonyms: Centaurium minus, Centaurium umbellatum
• Other names listed: bitter herb, bitterherb, centaury gentian, centory, Christ's ladder, filwort

Distribution and Habitat

• Centaurium erythraea is native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Its range extends east through Eastern Europe to the Middle East and Pakistan.
• It thrives in dry, grassy areas such as sand dunes, heaths, woodland rides, and quarries.
• Common Centaury has a wide distribution in Britain.

Morphological Characteristics

• Red Centaury (Erythraea centaurium) is an annual plant with a yellowish, fibrous, woody root.
• The stem is stiff, square, and erect, typically ranging from 3 to 12 inches in height.
• Stems often branch considerably at the summit.
• Some centaury species have fleshy pinkish-green stalks.
• The flowers, often pink, open only in the sun, revealing a yellow center.
• Seaside Centaury (Centaurium littorale) is a biennial herb with multiple stems, reaching a height of 2–8 inches (5–20 cm).

Historical Uses and Traditional Medicine

• Centaury has a long history of use, dating back to the Greeks and Romans.
• It is considered a bitter tonic, similar to gentian, and has been used for various ailments.
• Historically, it was used as an antidote.
• Traditionally, it has been used to treat extreme thirst.

Quirky Facts

• The flowers of some Centaury species only open when exposed to sunlight.