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spiked centaury
Scientific Name: Centaurium spicatum
Family: Gentianaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual, Biennial
Other Names:
Spiked Centaury (Centaurium spicatum)
Centaurium spicatum, commonly known as Spiked Centaury, is a forb/herb belonging to the genus Centaurium.
Considerations for Pets
- Some sources mention "spikes" and "prickly margins" in relation to other plants with similar common names (e.g., century plant or agave), so it's important to confirm the specific plant before assuming risks.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Centaurium spicatum (L.) Fritsch
- Common Names: Spiked Centaury, Spike Centaury
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Synonyms:
- Centaurium spicatum (L.) Fritsch
- Gentiana spicata L.
- Erythraea spicata Pers.
- Alternative Scientific Name: Schenkia spicata (Linnaeus) Mansion
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe and the Middle East.
- Naturalized in Australia.
- Often found beside the sea.
Morphological Characteristics
- Erect, hairless annual or biennial plant.
- Grows up to 0.6 meters (2 feet) tall.
Ecological Role
- The plant is described as a forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
Pollination
- The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated.
Additional Information
- The USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database and Britton & Brown's "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions" are referenced as resources.
- Discover Life offers a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Centaurium spicatum.
- The Natural History Museum of Crete, University of Crete, holds information related to the plant.