[3] It differs from Centaurium erythraea by lacking basal rosette of leaves and by having a developed peduncle below the flowers.

The inflorescence is a group of a few pale pink star-like flowers, each with a short stalk, a tube and five narrow petals, about 1 cm (0.4 in) across, flat-faced with yellow anthers.

It occurs mainly in the southern half of the British Isles, especially near the south coast of England.

On the coast it can be found in open sandy and muddy turf, often in saltmarshes, sand dunes and beside estuaries.

Inland it inhabits lowland dry, open grasslands, heaths, woodland glades and rides, marl pits and other unshaded, disturbed ground.