Desert Centaury
Scientific Name: Centaurium exaltatum (Griseb.) W. Wight ex Piper
Synonyms: Centaurium nuttallii (S. Watson) A. Heller, Cicendia exaltata Griseb., Zeltnera exaltata (Griseb.) G. Mans.
Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Asteridae / Gentianales / Gentianaceae / Centaurium Hill/ Centaurium exaltatum (Griseb.) W. Wight ex Piper
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Usda Symbol | CEEX |
| Group | Dicot |
| Life Cycle | Annual |
| Growth Habits | Forb/herb |
| Native Locations | CEEX |
Plant Guide
Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Desert Centaury is planted.
Plant Traits
Growth Requirements
| Temperature, Minimum (°F) | 52 |
|---|---|
| Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | No |
| Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
| Anaerobic Tolerance | Low |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | High |
| Cold Stratification Required | No |
| Drought Tolerance | Low |
| Fertility Requirement | Medium |
| Fire Tolerance | None |
| Frost Free Days, Minimum | 120 |
| Hedge Tolerance | None |
| Moisture Use | Medium |
| pH, Maximum | 9.0 |
| pH, Minimum | 6.5 |
| Precipitation, Maximum | 18 |
| Precipitation, Minimum | 8 |
| Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 8 |
| Salinity Tolerance | Medium |
| Shade Tolerance | Intolerant |
Morphology/Physiology
| After Harvest Regrowth Rate | Slow |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | None |
| Shape and Orientation | Erect |
| Nitrogen Fixation | None |
| Resprout Ability | No |
| Active Growth Period | Summer |
| Bloat | None |
| C:N Ratio | Low |
| Coppice Potential | No |
| Fall Conspicuous | No |
| Fire Resistant | No |
| Flower Color | White |
| Flower Conspicuous | Yes |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Porosity Summer | Porous |
| Foliage Texture | Medium |
| Fruit/Seed Color | Brown |
| Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | No |
| Growth Form | Single Crown |
| Growth Rate | Rapid |
| Height, Mature (feet) | 1.5 |
| Known Allelopath | No |
| Leaf Retention | No |
| Low Growing Grass | No |
| Foliage Porosity Winter | Porous |
Reproduction
| Propagated by Seed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Propagated by Sod | No |
| Propagated by Sprigs | No |
| Propagated by Tubers | No |
| Seed per Pound | 2000000 |
| Fruit/Seed Period End | Summer |
| Seed Spread Rate | Slow |
| Seedling Vigor | Medium |
| Small Grain | No |
| Vegetative Spread Rate | None |
| Propagated by Corm | No |
| Propagated by Container | No |
| Propagated by Bulb | No |
| Propagated by Bare Root | No |
| Fruit/Seed Persistence | No |
| Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Summer |
| Fruit/Seed Abundance | Medium |
| Commercial Availability | No Known Source |
| Bloom Period | Late Spring |
| Propagated by Cuttings | No |
Suitability/Use
| Veneer Product | No |
|---|---|
| Pulpwood Product | No |
| Post Product | No |
| Palatable Human | No |
| Nursery Stock Product | No |
| Naval Store Product | No |
| Lumber Product | No |
| Fodder Product | No |
| Christmas Tree Product | No |
| Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |
