In theory this plant can grow up to 20 cm tall but I rarely see it any larger than just 5cm to 8 cm and often hiding in other vegetation. Centaurium species tend to open in the full sun and because this one hides in the shade of taller plants, it is more often seen with slightly open buds like this one.

C. pulchellum is commonest in the south of England but is also found on the coast of north Wales and north western England. It is rare in Scotland and Ireland.

Oxwich dunes, Gower peninsula, South Wales, 9th July 2009

Added 25th September 2009, updated 11th March 2010