[Centaurys: The Genus Zeltnera East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Western Centaury

Zeltnera exaltata

Synonym: Centaurium exaltatum

Great Basin Centaury, Western Centaury: Zeltnera exaltata (Synonym: Centaurium exaltatum)

The photo above shows a close-up of the flower western centaury. The corollas may range from creamy white to light pink and may have 4 or 5 lobes. Photographed along K1000 to the east of the Mt. Adams Highway.........July 9, 2006.

Great Basin Centaury, Western Centaury: Zeltnera exaltata (Synonym: Centaurium exaltatum)

The photo above shows a sideview of the corolla and upper stem leaves of western centaury.

Inflorescence of Great Basin Centaury, Western Centaury: Zeltnera exaltata (Synonym: Centaurium exaltatum)

The photo above shows the upper stem of western centaury. Photographed along Road K1000..........July 9, 2006. Note the long, narrow calyx lobes.

Stem leaves of Great Basin Centaury, Western Centaury: Zeltnera exaltata (Synonym: Centaurium exaltatum)

The basal leaves of western centaury are few in number and well spaced, not forming a basal rosette. Likewise, the paired stem leaves are few in number and generally widely spaced.

Paul Slichter