When budding, the flowers have a slight twist to them. Many exotic Asian and European species have long been in cultivation, particularly alpine species for rock gardens. Locally, the Bay Area has several attractive pink-flowered natives, all annuals that can be easily grown from seed. A European variety, C. erythraea , can be become quite weedy and problematic if allowed to escape, and should be avoided.
Flowers have a long ovary and a minute pedicel.
June - August. Hence the name, I guess. Slim, paired leaves, almost joined at base around stem, with flower stalks originating from base. To the left, June Centaury growing in a grassy field in McNee Ranch State Park. In past years, these plants had a range limited to a few areas of McNee Ranch State Park, but the bloom of 1998 for Centarium was the most extensive I've seen - it was even popping up in parking lots and people's yards.