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Native Plant Database

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Centaurium calycosum (Arizona centaury)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Centaurium calycosum (Buckl.) Fern.

Arizona centaury, Shortflower centaury, Rosita, Buckley centaury

Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)

USDA Symbol: ceca3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This attractive member of the Gentian family grows from Central Texas west. It prefers moist places at altitudes under 4,000 feet. It is a low-branching plant 8-12 inches tall, with little foliage, so that the numerous pink flowers grow in a tight cluster, like a bouquet or corsage. Leaves are rarely more than 1/2 inch long, the blossoms 1 inch across. It has an unbelievable number of buds, which continue to bloom for days, even when picked. Blossoms are tubular with 5 starlike lobes and a small white eye in the center.

The brilliant pink corolla resembles that of Phlox species, which have three branches on the style; the style on Centaurium species ends with a small knob or two short branches.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: MO , TX
Native Distribution: Southeastern California northeast to southern Utah, east to central Texas, and south to northern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Moist open areas along streams, in prairies and meadows, and on hillsides.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Centaurium calycosum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Centaurium calycosum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Centaurium calycosum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-04-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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