Scientific Family
Gentianaceae
Synonyms
Centaurium calycosum, Erythraea calycosa, Zeltnera arizonica
Other common names
Arizona mountain pink
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or annual
Height
8 to 24 inches
Riparian
Yes
Tall stems weakly spreading, not much branched; clusters of eye-catching bright-pink, star-shaped flowers with yellow anthers twisted like corkscrews cover the stem.
Distinguished by the distinct showy pink-purple flowers, 5 perfectly rounded petals with yellow throats; seed pods filled with tiny dark seeds; opposite leaves along the stem and many basal leaves. Grows in wetlands along streams.
Habitat
Found in open, damp places, especially on streambanks, common along drainages.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
6000
Flower Characteristics
Open clusters of 3/4-inch wide, bright pink flowers with a white to yellow throat; 5 elliptic, pointed petals, each 3/8 inch long.
Flower color
Bright pink, yellow throats
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Basal rosette present at flowering; leaves opposite on stem; oblong to lance-shaped blades, 3/4 to 2-3/4 inches long, smaller up the stem; margins entire to slightly rolled inward.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Light green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Capsules with 2 valves, containing many tiny seeds.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Dark browm