Centaurium spicatum
an annual or biennial member of the Centaurium genus in the family Gentianaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Gentianaceae
- Genus
- Centaurium
- Life cycle
- annual, biennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Stomachic (especially in cases of dysentery and diarrhoea)[2].
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Environment
- Range
- S. Europe, Asia, Australia.
- Habitat
- Damp grassy or sandy places near the sea in S. Europe[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow February to May in situ or as soon as it is ripe in situ. The seed germinates in 3 - 8 weeks at 24°c.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though it should succeed as a spring sown annual in this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a well-drained sandy loam with some peat[1].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants.
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00