Bull Island, Co. Dublin. © Gerry Flannery

Lesser Centaury Centaurium pulchellum Dréimire beag Family: Gentianaceae Flowering June-August. Annual. Native. Spreading inflorescence of small pink flowers on stalks 1-4mm long. The petals are narrow and the corolla tube is longer than the calyx. Stems are branched or unbranched but there is no basal rosette of leaves present at flowering time. A small, slender plant, usually only 5-10cm tall. Very rare, found on coastal dunes in Counties Dublin, Wexford and Waterford. Identification confirmed by Paul Green Similar: Common Centaury, Centaurium erythyraea

Lesser Centaury, Centaurium pulchellum, Dréimire beag