Slender centaury (Centaurium tenuiflorum, Mitt. Naturwiss. Vereins Univ. Wien, ser. 2, 5: 97 (1907))

Family: Gentianaceae

Author: (Hoffmanns. & Link) Fritsch

Bibliography: Mitt. Naturwiss. Vereins Univ. Wien, ser. 2, 5: 97 (1907)

Year: 1907

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Centaurium

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. Europe to Medit., Chad, Socotra

Description

Slender centaury, scientifically referred to as Centaurium tenuiflorum, is a fascinating plant belonging to the family Gentianaceae. First described in the scientific literature in a 1907 publication in “Mittheilungen des Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins der Universität Wien,” it was authenticated by authors Hoffmanns. & Link and subsequently refined by Fritsch.

This delicate botanical species boasts a noteworthy distribution spanning southwestern Europe, including the Mediterranean region, and extends as far as Chad and the island of Socotra. Its adaptability to diverse climates speaks to its resilience and ecological versatility.

The slender centaury is characterized by its slender stature and typically minute, yet strikingly beautiful, flowers. These features make it a subtle, yet captivating presence in its natural habitat. Botanists and plant enthusiasts often admire its delicate structure and resilience across varied terrains.

In summary, the slender centaury is a remarkable plant with a widespread geographic range. Its slender form and minute flowers contribute to its unique charm, solidifying its status as a noteworthy species within the Gentianaceae family.

Common Names

Eng: slender centaury, channel centaury
Cym: canri fain, y ganrhi goch fain
En: Slender centaury, Channel Centaury
Fr: Petite centaurée à petites fleurs
He: ערבז דק-פרחים
Cy: Canri Fain, Y Ganrhi Goch Fain

Synonyms

• Centaurium tenuiflorum var. acutiflorum ((Schott) Zeltner)
• Centaurium tenuiflorum var. hermannii ((Sennen) Zeltner)
• Centaurium pulchellum subsp. tenuiflorum ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Maire)
• Erythraea tenuiflora (Hoffmanns. & Link)
• Erythraea pulchella subsp. tenuiflora ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Arcang.)
• Erythraea tenuiflora var. pseudolinariifolia ((Rouy) Rouy)
• Erythraea ramosissima var. pseudolinariifolia ((Rouy) Cout.)
• Erythraea latifolia var. tenuiflora ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Willk.)
• Erythraea ramosissima var. tenuiflora ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Cout.)
• Centaurium pulchellum var. tenuiflorum ((Hoffmanns. & Link) Samp.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Chad (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• California (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by dnt ggg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2019 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2016 by Marc Vercaigne (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2019 by ayisk (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 30, 1877 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 30, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 30, 2020 by Karim BOUDANI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2022 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2019 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Palmieri Nicola (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by N. Virginia N. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Scrilli Dudu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2021 by touiriki larbi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2017 by Tela Botanica − John DE VOS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/6367342)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:366729-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Centaurium tenuiflorum (Hoffmanns. & Link) Fritsch)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 4