Zeltnera trichantha
Alkali centaury
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Zeltnera trichantha (Alkali centaury) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by dense flat-topped inflorescence and single stigma diagnostic.
Alkali centaury is a California native annual found in northern coastal ranges and San Francisco Bay Area in alkaline and saline flats, around hot springs, and in vernal pools at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to pale pink flowers with delicate linear lobes 5 to 10 millimeters long. Growing with slender stems 5 to 45 centimeters tall, it spreads in open, moist habitats with a delicate, upright structure. Its cauline leaves are ovate to lanceolate, ranging from 10 to 40 millimeters long, positioned alternately along the thin stems. The plant forms compact, flat-topped clusters of small flowers, creating subtle patches of white in its distinctive alkaline environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; dense flat-topped inflorescence and single stigma diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline and saline flats, dry to moist openings in chaparral, around hot springs, vernal pools
Elevation: < 800 m
Bloom period
Zeltnera trichantha blooms May-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Centaurium: Zeltnera has wedge-shaped stigmas; Centaurium has oval stigmas (need hand lens).; vs Calandrinia: Zeltnera has tubular gentian flowers; Calandrinia has separate petals.; vs Sabatia: Zeltnera has narrow flower tubes; marsh pink has rotate flowers.; vs Clarkia: Zeltnera has tubular flowers; Clarkia has four separate petals.; vs Leptosiphon: Zeltnera has pink/white flowers; Leptosiphon often multicolored with very narrow tubes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zeltnera trichantha native to California?
Yes. Zeltnera trichantha is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Zeltnera trichantha bloom?
Zeltnera trichantha blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Zeltnera trichantha belong to?
Zeltnera trichantha is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Zeltnera.
What habitat does Zeltnera trichantha grow in?
Zeltnera trichantha grows in Alkaline and saline flats, dry to moist openings in chaparral, around hot springs, vernal pools.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Zeltnera venusta — California centaury
- Zeltnera arizonica — Arizona centaury
- Zeltnera davyi — Davy's centaury
- Zeltnera exaltata — Tall centaury
- Zeltnera muehlenbergii — Monterey centaury
- Zeltnera namophila — Spring-loving centaury
- Centaurium erythraea — European centaury
- Centaurium pulchellum — Lesser centaury
- Centaurium sp. — Centaury
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.