This is an erect biennial herb which reaches half a meter in height.

It grows from a small basal rosette and bolts a leafy, erect stem which may branch.

The petite flower is pinkish-lavender and about a centimeter across, flat-faced with yellow anthers.

This centaury is a widespread plant of Europe (including Scotland, Sweden and Mediterranean countries[2]) and parts of western Asia and northern Africa.

It has also naturalised in parts of North America,[2] New Zealand, and eastern Australia, where it is an introduced species.