Centunculus minimus L.

Locations ofCentunculus minimus L. in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Primulaceae
Botanical Name
Centunculus minimus L.
Common Name
Chaffweed
Synonym(s)
Anagallis minima (L.) Krause; Lysimachia minima (L.) U. Manns & A. Anderberg
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Centunculus minimus L.
Comments
The treatment here follows Flora of Virginia and Flora of the Southeastern U.S. (Weakley et al. 2023) in recognizing Centunculus as a genus separate from Anagallis or Lysimachia. This is based on phylogenetic studies that recognize several monophyletic genera (Steironema, Trientalis, Centunculus, and Anagallis) as basal to Lysimachia. According to FSUS, this approach is more desirable than combining them all in a monophyletic but hyper-diverse Lysimachia. See Yan et al. (2018, New Phytologist 219: 436-448).
Habitat
Until recently, known from only one, historical collection: W. Hunter s.n., 25 Jun 1886, "Woodlawn, Fairfax County, Virginia," specimen at US. Discovered in 2022 (Prince William Co.) in artificially open habitat on diabase substrate by Doug DeBerry. Found in 2025 by Gemma Milly and Johnny Townsend in Augusta County in a similarly open habitat with sparsely vegetated, compacted soils. The soil chemistry of the Augusta site is unknown but it occurs in close proximity to calcareous wetlands so elevated calcium levels, moderated pH may be a factor.
Native Status
Native

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