1. *Monterey Centaury – Zeltnera (Centaury) muehlenbergii
(zelt-NAIR-uh mull-en-BERGE-ee-eye )
Family: Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)
Northwestern North America from British Columbia to N.& central CA coastal and foothill
areas; common in winter-moist open areas in Sagebrush Scrub, Redwood Forest, Mixed Evergreen
Forest, Northern Oak Woodland, Foothill Woodland, Valley Grassland, Northern Juniper Woodland.
Native to:
annual wildflower
mature height: 1-3 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
Herbaceous annual wildflower. Erect, slender, often with branching stems.
Leaves oval to oblong,
simple, opposite. Foliage is fairly unremarkable.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in late spring – April to July, depending on weather. Flowers are bright
pink or magenta (occasionally white), funnel-shaped with 5 simple petals. Flowers are in small
clusters, on short flowering stems, mostly at the ends of branches. Very showy in bloom! Flowers
have an old-fashioned appeal typical for the gentians. Fruit a dry, 2-chambered capsule.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Lovely annual wherever used. Use in pots for a splash of seasonal color. Pair
with blue, purple, pink and white wildflowers for a spectacular spring show. Good choice for native
grassland planting. Would work well in a rain garden or seasonal swale, around fountains, bird
baths, etc. Native peoples used an infusion of the plant to treat constipation.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native pink flowers.
Attracts: Good habitat plant: provides nectar and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun (best).
Any, including clay; any local pH.
Needs moist ground in winter/spring; taper off as plants flower.
Not needed, but not harmful.
No mulch – or use an inorganic gravel mulch.
Be sure ground remains moist prior to blooming. Let plants re-seed naturally or
collect seeds from dry capsules and store in cool, dry place.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers):
19
12/29/13
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