Common centaury (Κενταύριο)

Centaurium erythraea is native throughout Europe, and one of the commonest Greek wildflowers. It can be found in open woods, meadows and dry grasslands, often on chalky soils and particularly in seasonally damp, sandy depressions.The European centaury is used as a medical herb in many parts of Europe, including Greece.The herb, mainly prepared as tea, is thought to possess medical properties beneficial for patients with gastric and liver diseases.
The pictured flowered centaury was spotted growing in a sweet chestnut forest floor, near Tsagarada village, Pelion mountain, Greece.