Centaurium scilloides
| Centaurium scilloides | |
|---|---|
| Centaurium scilloides photographed in France in 2009 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Gentianaceae |
| Genus: | Centaurium |
| Species: | C. scilloides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Centaurium scilloides | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Centaurium scilloides, also known as perennial centaury is a flowering plant in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to Atlantic Europe (England, western France and the northwestern Iberian Peninsula) and the Azores. Plants from the Azores have white flowers (as opposed to pink) and are genetically different with some treating it as a different species.[1][2]
History
The species has been in cultivation in Britain since being introduced probably from the Azores by William Aiton in 1777.[3] In 1781, Carl Linnaeus the Younger described the species as Gentiana scilloides, after F. Masson returned with a specieman from Azores.[2]
Before it's extinction in England in 1967, Centaurium scilloides was abundant in Cornwall, S.W. England where it was recorded from two settlements Porthgwarra and St Levan between 1952–1967. It survived in Pembrokeshire, Wales where it grows in Newport since its discovery there in 1918.[3] In 2012, the species was recorded from the Azores, but was proven to be of different species.[2]
Description
It is a perennial, herbaceous species, growing to a maximum height of 15 centimetres (5.9 in).[4]
Habitat and distribution
Centaurium scilloides is found on coastal cliffs and dunes grassland.[4] It grows all along the Atlantic coast of Europe.
Conservation
As of 2001, its conservation status was evaluated as 'Endangered' by the IUCN.[5]
Uses
In Japan, C. scilloides, is popularly used for decoration purposes. It is used as a border in rock gardens and grows in pots and on verandas.[6]
Subspecies
- Centaurium scilloides subsp. massonii (Sweet ex H.C.Watson) Palhinha
References
- ^ "Centaurium scilloides (L.f.) Samp". Flora-On. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- ^ a b c Prieto, José Antonio Fernández; Cires, Eduardo; Pérez, René; Bueno, Álvaro (2012). "A new endemism for the Azores: the case of Centaurium scilloides (L. f.) Samp". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 298 (10). Springer Science+Business Media: 1867–1879. doi:10.1007/s00606-012-0687-4. hdl:10651/23897. JSTOR 43558386. S2CID 254048642.
- ^ a b Rich, T.C.G.; Evans, S.B.; Evans, A.E.; Magnanon, S.; Hopkins, F.; Caldas, F.B.; Pryor, K.V.; Lledo, M.D. (2005)Distribution of the western European endemic Centaurium scilloides (L. f.) Samp. (Gentianaceae), Perennial Centaury Watsonia 25, pp. 275–281.
- ^ a b "Online Atlas of the British and Irish Flora - Centaurium scilloides". Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
- ^ "Natural History Museum London - Centaurium scilloides". Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
- ^ Nishikawa, Kazutaka; Shimomura, Koichiro; Kayano, Toshiaki; Ishimaru, Kanji (1997). "Shoot Regeneration in Root Cultures of Centaurium scilloides". Plant Biotechnology. 14 (2). doi:10.5511/plantbiotechnology.14.117.