Best time to see: Jun to Sep
Key facts
An annual of dry grassy places, including sandy ground near the sea
Tightly packed clusters of pink flowers; elliptical leaves mostly in a basal rosette
Like other members of the gentian family the flowers close up in late afternoon
![](../images/plants/common centaury (AG).jpg)
© Tony Gunton
![](../images/plants/common centaury ().jpg)
© unknown