Centaurium

Taxobox
name = "Centaurium"


image_width = 220px
image_caption = "Centaurium erythraea"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Gentianales
familia = Gentianaceae
genus = "Centaurium"
genus_authority = Hill
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = 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.

pecies

*"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 sebaeoides" - 'Āwiwi
*"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

References

* [http://gentian.rutgers.edu/ Gentian Research Network]