Centaurium erythraea Rafn.

Glabrous, erect annual or biennial with usually simple stems to c. 50 cm high and rosette of basal lvs persisting until after flowering. Basal lvs 1–4 × 0.5–2.2 cm, elliptic to obovate, 3–5-veined; apex rounded to ± mucronate. Cauline lvs smaller and narrower than basal, 3-veined; apex obtuse to acute. Infl. a corymbiform cyme; fls usually dense, sessile or shortly pedicellate. Bracts linear to lanceolate, > calyx. Calyx 4–6 mm long; lobes narrow-linear. Corolla 10–14 mm long; tube narrow- cylindric, white, pink towards apex; lobes 5–7 × c. 2 mm, elliptic, patent, usually pink, rarely white, obtuse or subacute. Stamens < corolla lobes. Capsule 8–10 mm long, fusiform. Seeds alveolate, minute, c. 0.2 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: (Sep.)–Nov.–Apr.–(Jun.)