Photographs: Co. Cork

Centaury Centaurium erythraea Dréimire Mhuire Family: Gentianaceae Flowering time: June - October. Annual. Native. Pinkish-red umbel of flowers, usually 5-lobed, the anthers twisting at fruiting time. Leaves in basal rosette, obvate (egg-shaped), with smaller, narrower stem leaves. Smaller, compact forms also occur. Height can be very variable 5-50cm. Throughout Ireland on dry banks, roadsides, sand dunes. Similar: Lesser Centaury, C. pulchellum. Smaller, no basal leaf rosette. Very rare in Ireland

Centaury, Centaurium erythraea, Dréimire Mhuire