Centaurium pulchellum
Lesser centaury, Lesser Centaury
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Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Centaurium pulchellum (Lesser centaury) is a non-native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by smallest size, open inflorescence, and pedicellate flowers.
Lesser centaury is a naturalized annual found in the San Joaquin Valley in moist fields and roadsides at elevations around 60 meters. Flowering in late summer, this plant produces small white to pink flowers with petals 2 to 5 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 10 to 25 centimeters tall, it has an upright and delicate form. Its leaves are distinctive, with basal leaves 5 to 25 millimeters long and obovate to oblong in shape, while upper stem leaves become progressively narrower and more lanceolate. The plant forms an open, loose inflorescence with slender pedicels that create a light, airy appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by smallest size, open inflorescence, and pedicellate flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist fields, roadsides
Elevation: +- 60 m.
Outside California: to Washington, eastern United States, native to Eurasia
How to tell it apart
vs Zeltnera: Centaurium has oval stigmas; Zeltnera has wedge-shaped stigmas (need hand lens).; vs Dianthus: Centaurium has tubular flowers; pinks have notched separate petals.; vs Coleonema: Centaurium is herbaceous; breath-of-heaven is a woody shrub.; vs Eustoma: Centaurium has narrow-tubed flowers; Eustoma has wide bells.; vs Gentianopsis: Centaurium has tiny pink flowers; Gentianopsis has larger fringed petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Centaurium pulchellum native to California?
No. Centaurium pulchellum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Centaurium pulchellum belong to?
Centaurium pulchellum is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Centaurium.
What habitat does Centaurium pulchellum grow in?
Centaurium pulchellum grows in Moist fields, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.