centauries

genus Centaurium

Member of gentian family (family Gentianaceae)
dicots (class Magnoliopsida)
flowering plants (subphylum Angiospermae)

Except for extremely rare examples that I don't expect to encounter, there are no other wild species of this genus in the bay area.

There are more centauries in the gentian family (family Gentianaceae).

Key features:

corolla eye
maximum pedicel length
calyx lobes keeled or not
corolla lobe length
stigma number and shape

slender centaury
Centaurium tenuiflorum

slender centaury
Centaurium tenuiflorum

corolla lobes 2 – 4.5 mm

small white eye with 3 prongs, sharp or nebulous [source]
orifice tight and rounded [source]

basal leaves ±deciduous, generally not in a rosette
uncommon

common centaury
Centaurium erythraea

common centaury
Centaurium erythraea

corolla lobes 4.5 – 8 mm
basal leaves ± persistent, generally in a rosette
Jepson says the inflorescence is ± flat-topped, but your perception of it may depend on how many inflorescences you count
very rare

2 observed taxons / 1 key

Chris’s observations: 7 (3 are research grade)

Locations:

Kauai, HI: 3
Monte Bello OSP
Sam McDonald CP
Sweeney Ridge National Recreation Area
Waterdog Lake & Open Space

Months:

May: 3
Jun.: 2
Jul.: 1
Aug.: 0
Sep.: 0
Oct.: 1

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Taxon info: iNaturalist – Calflora – Jepson eFlora – FNA

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora