Common Centaury
Centaurium erythraea
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Common Centaury is a small, delicate plant with clusters of bright pink flowers that close in the afternoon. It grows on thin dune grassland and disturbed ground — one of those plants that rewards getting down on hands and knees for a proper look. A member of the gentian family, and there's a gentian-like quality to the flowers. The Sefton dunes support good populations. Has been used medicinally since antiquity — the name derives from the centaur Chiron who reputedly discovered its properties.
At a Glance
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Gentianaceae |
| Habitat | Open dune grassland · Dune slack · Bare calcareous ground |
| UK population | Widespread on calcareous and dune grassland in England and Wales |
| Sefton Coast | Common on open dune grassland throughout the Sefton Coast |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Open dune grassland and dune slacks at Ainsdale and Formby. Likes disturbed, thin soil.
Identification
Small annual, 10–30cm. Opposite oval leaves. Dense clusters of bright pink five-petalled flowers. Flowers close in afternoon.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Visit mid-morning in July when the flowers are open. Easy to miss but abundant on open dune grassland once you know to look for it.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Common Centaury flowers close in the afternoon?
Like many plants in the Gentian family, Common Centaury closes its flowers in the afternoon and in dull weather. This is thought to protect the pollen from rain and to direct pollinators — mainly bees and flies — toward morning visits when the flowers are freshly open and pollen production is highest.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.