Centaurium

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Centaurium
Centaurium erythraea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Gentianales Family: Gentianaceae Genus: Centaurium Hill
Species
See text.

Centaurium (formerly Erythraea) is a genus containing about 50 species in the gentian family (Gentianaceae), tribe Chironieae, subtribe Chironiinae. The genus was named after the centaur Chiron, famed in Greek mythology for his skill in medicinal herbs. The common name for plants in this genus is Centaury.

This genus is primarily distributed in the Mediterranean. However, species such as Centaurium littorale are widespread, but not common, between the northern Mediterranean and Scandinavia.

Plants in the genus contain bitter principles, and are sometimes used medicinally as a stomachic and tonic.

[edit] Species

• Centaurium beyrichii — Rock Centaury
• Centaurium calycosum (Buckley) Fernald
• Centaurium erythraea (Griseb.) Wight — Common Centaury
• Centaurium exaltatum Rafin.
• Centaurium littorale (Turner) Gilmore — Seaside Centaury
• Centaurium muhlenbergii (Griseb.) Wight
• Centaurium pulchellum (Sw.) Druce — Lesser Centaury
• Centaurium scilloides (L.) Samp. — Perennial Centaury
• Centaurium spicatum (L.) Fernald — Spiked Centaury
• Centaurium tenuiflorum (Hoffmanns. & Link) Fritsch — Slender Centaury
• Centaurium texense (Grieseb.) Fernald
• Centaurium venustum (Gray) B. L. Rob - Charming Centaury, Canchalagua

[edit] References

• Gentian Research Network