View source for Centaurium

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Centaurium''
| image = Centaurium erythraea (plant).jpg
| image_width = 220px
| image_caption = ''Centaurium erythraea''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Gentianales]]
| familia = [[Gentianaceae]]
| genus = '''''Centaurium'''''
| genus_authority = [[John Hill (author)|Hill]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 
See text.
}}

'''''Centaurium''''' (formerly ''Erythraea'') is a [[genus]] containing about 50 [[species]] in the [[gentian]] family ([[Gentianaceae]]), tribe [[Chironieae]], subtribe [[Chironiinae]]. The genus was named after the [[centaur]] [[Chiron]], famed in [[Greek mythology]] for his skill in [[medicinal herbs]]. The common name for plants in this genus is '''Centaury'''.

This genus is primarily distributed in the [[Mediterranean Basin|Mediterranean]]. However, species such as ''Centaurium littorale'' are widespread, but not common, between the northern Mediterranean and [[Scandinavia]].

Plants in the genus contain bitter principals, and are sometimes used medicinally as a [[stomachic]] and [[tonic]].