The Gentian Family
What are they?
Although the gentian family (Gentianaceae) is quite variable, members can generally be recognised by their smooth appearance, opposite leaves and usually terminal, vividly-coloured flowers. Most species have four or five petals (one has eight) with the petals fused into a tube towards the base.
Where are they found?
The single species in this family that occurs on the Isles of Scilly occurs in grassy habitats including heaths, commons and coastal areas such as dunes and cliff tops.
Identification
The brightly coloured, five-petalled flowers of this species are distinctive and easily recognised.
Common Centaury Centaurium erythraea
Native. Found in areas of short or close-cropped grass, including coastal cliffs and dunes. Flowers June to October. Very similar to Lesser Centaury and hard to tell from it. Best key characters include the presence of a basal rosette of leaves and a gap of 1mm or less between the base of the sepals and the topmost bracts.
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