Flowers Growing at our Home

Centaury

Centaurium umbellatum Centaury dots deflation plains and other moist areas along the Pacific Coast. It grows 8 to 16 inches tall and has both tufted basal leaves and clasping elliptic stem leaves that are opposite each other. The deep pink or nearly purple flowers are in candelabra-like clusters. Each individual flower is tubular, with 5 widely spreading lobes. Centaury's stem is square so that it does not roll easily in your fingers. Blooming throughout July and August, centaury grows in the company of sundew, Labrador tea, gentian, willow, and other plants that require moist ground. It is widely established in the Pacific Northwest where it is found in moist wastelands, meadows, and swales. They grow widely in our woodlands, meadows and pasture.