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Centaurium pulchellum (Sw.) Hayek ex Hand.-Mazz., Stadlm., Janch.& Faltis

Pink centaury
Synonyms: Erythraea pulchella (Sw.) Borkh.; Centaurium minus auct

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Description

Centaurium pulchellum is a small annual or biennial herbaceous plant, usually 5–30 cm tall, with an erect, slender, and often branched stem. The plant is generally glabrous, sometimes with a slightly reddish coloration in older stems. The root system consists of a thin taproot. Leaves are simple, opposite, and sessile, arranged in decussate pairs along the stem. Basal leaves form a small rosette, while stem leaves are narrowly elliptic to lanceolate, usually 5–25 mm long, with entire margins, rounded or acute apices, and a prominent central vein. Leaves are slightly succulent and adapted to moist open habitats. Flowers are bisexual, actinomorphic, and showy, arranged in terminal branched cymes or clusters. The flowers are typically pink to rose-purple, occasionally pale pink, with a tubular fused corolla consisting of five spreading lobes. The calyx is tubular with five narrow teeth. Stamens are five, attached inside the corolla tube, and the ovary is superior with a slender style and two stigmatic lobes. Fruits are narrow, cylindrical capsules, which split into two valves at maturity to release numerous tiny seeds. Seeds are brown, minute, and adapted for wind dispersal.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative
Small annual herb. Opposite sessile leaves. Slender branched stems. Basal rosette often present.
Floral
Pink-purple five-lobed flowers. Tubular corolla. Flowers arranged in terminal clusters.
Fruit & Seed
Narrow elongated capsule. Numerous tiny seeds.

Distribution

Native range: Native to Europe, North Africa, Western Asia.

In Pakistan: Reported from Pakistan, India, Mediterranean regions, Central Asia. In Pakistan, it may occur in Moist grasslands, Mountain valleys, Wet meadows.

Phenology

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Flowering
Fruiting
Flowering: June–September Fruiting: Late summer–autumn

Ethnobotany & Uses

Medicinal Importance
Species of Centaurium are traditionally valued as bitter medicinal herbs. Traditional uses include Aerial Parts. Used for Digestive stimulation, Loss of appetite, Mild gastrointestinal disorders. Contains bioactive compounds such as Secoiridoid glycosides, Xanthones, Flavonoids, Phenolic compounds, Pharmacological Potential. Reported biological activities in the genus include Antioxidant activity, Anti-inflammatory effects, Antimicrobial potential.
Ecological Importance
Provides nectar resources for insects. Contributes to biodiversity of wet grassland ecosystems. Serves as a component of natural meadow vegetation.
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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Centaurium pulchellum belongs to Gentianaceae, a family characterized by Opposite leaves, Sympetalous (fused-petal) flowers, Bitter secondary metabolites. It can be distinguished from related Centaurium species by Small stature, Branched flowering stems, Narrow leaves.