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Yellow Centaury

Cicendia filiformis

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Gentianales
Family:
Gentianaceae (Gentian)
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual
Maximum Size:
50 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Fields, gardens, grassland, heathland, saltmarshes, sand dunes, sea cliffs, seaside, wasteland, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, 4 petals
 
Yellow Centaury is late flowering in the year. Unlike other UK Centaury species, the Yellow Centaury has only 4 petals and has yellow flowers. The solitary flowers only open in sunshine and measure between 3 and 7mm across. The flowers are long-stalked.
Fruit:
A long and slender, many-seeded fruit capsule.
Leaves:
An erect and slender annual flower with scarcely branched stems. The narrow, pointed leaves are slender and untoothed. Most often encountered on heathland near the coast, in particular on bare sandy or peaty ground.
Other Names:
Slender Cicendia, Slender Speedwell.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Cicendia filiformis, also known as slender cicendia or slender speedwell, is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family. It is native to Europe and Asia, and has been introduced to other parts of the world as a weed. The plant is known for its small, blue or purple flowers and narrow leaves. It grows well in a variety of habitats, including fields, gardens, and waste areas. Cicendia filiformis is a herbaceous plant that can grow up to 60 cm in height. It is commonly found in disturbed areas and is considered an invasive weed in some areas. The plant is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.

Blog

Yellow Centaury (Cicendia filiformis) is a beautiful and rare wildflower that is native to Europe and Asia. It is also known by other common names such as slender centaury and yellow star-thistle. The plant belongs to the gentian family and is easily recognizable by its bright yellow, star-shaped flowers that bloom in the summer.

The yellow centaury grows best in dry, sunny locations and is often found growing along roadsides, in meadows and on rocky slopes. It is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions and is able to grow in soils that are poor in nutrients. It is a slow-growing plant that can reach a height of up to 50 cm, and its leaves are long and narrow.

In traditional herbal medicine, yellow centaury was used as a digestive aid and to treat a variety of ailments such as indigestion, liver problems and skin conditions. The plant has been shown to have some medicinal properties and is still used today in some regions as a folk remedy. It is important to note that the plant can be toxic in large amounts and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner.

Yellow centaury is a popular plant among gardeners and is a great addition to any wildflower or rock garden. It is a low-maintenance plant that requires very little care and is easy to propagate from seeds or cuttings. The plant is also a great food source for bees and other pollinators, making it a valuable addition to any garden.

In conclusion, yellow centaury is a beautiful and unique wildflower that is well worth growing in your garden. It is a hardy plant that is easy to care for and has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine.

The yellow centaury is a stunning plant that adds a touch of brightness to any garden. Its yellow, star-shaped flowers make it a standout among other wildflowers and its hardy nature makes it an ideal choice for gardeners who want a low-maintenance plant.

Not only is the yellow centaury beautiful, but it is also a valuable plant for the environment. The plant is a great food source for bees and other pollinators, helping to support the health of these important insects. Without pollinators, many plants would not be able to reproduce and the ecosystem would be severely impacted. By planting yellow centaury in your garden, you can contribute to the health and wellbeing of the environment.

In addition to its value as a food source for pollinators, the yellow centaury is also a great choice for those interested in preserving wildflowers and their habitats. The plant is becoming increasingly rare in the wild due to habitat loss and other environmental factors. By growing yellow centaury in your garden, you can help to conserve this important species and its habitats.

Growing yellow centaury is easy and requires very little care. The plant thrives in sunny locations and can tolerate a wide range of conditions. It is a slow-growing plant that can reach a height of up to 50 cm and its leaves are long and narrow. To propagate the plant, you can simply sow the seeds in a sunny location or take cuttings from an established plant.

In conclusion, the yellow centaury is a wonderful addition to any garden. It is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant that provides a pop of color and supports the environment by providing a food source for pollinators. It is also a great choice for those interested in preserving wildflowers and their habitats.

One unique feature of the yellow centaury is its medicinal properties. In traditional herbal medicine, it was used to treat a variety of ailments such as digestive issues, liver problems, and skin conditions. The plant contains compounds that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and digestive-stimulating effects.

However, it is important to note that the yellow centaury can be toxic in large amounts and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. It is also important to be aware of potential side effects and interactions with other medications before using yellow centaury as a natural remedy.

Despite its potential health benefits, the yellow centaury is not widely used in modern medicine due to a lack of research and standardized preparation methods. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks associated with using this plant as a medicine.

Aside from its medicinal properties, the yellow centaury is also a popular plant among botanists and nature enthusiasts. The plant is a part of the gentian family and is related to other well-known plants such as the gentian and the bluebell. Its unique appearance and rarity make it a valuable species to study and observe in the wild.

In some regions, the yellow centaury is considered to be a protected species due to its declining population in the wild. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve this important plant and its habitats. These efforts include habitat restoration, seed collection and propagation, and educational outreach programs.

In conclusion, the yellow centaury is a beautiful, valuable, and rare plant that deserves our attention and protection. Its potential health benefits, environmental value, and rarity make it an important species to study and preserve. Whether you are interested in its medicinal properties, its role in the ecosystem, or its beauty, the yellow centaury is a plant that is truly worth learning about.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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