GREATER CENTAURY: A genus of the polygamia fruticosa order, belonging to the syngenesia clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 49th order, Compositae. The receptacle is bristly, the pappus simple, the corollule of the radius funnel-shaped, longer than those of the disk, and irregular. There are 61 species. The root of one of them called glaucofolia, is an article in the materia medica. It has a rough, somewhat acrid taste, and abounds with a red viscid juice. Its rough taste has gained it some esteem as an astringent; its acrimony as an aperient; and its glutinous quality as a vulnerary: but the present practice takes very little notice of it in any intention. Another of the species is the cyanus or blue bottle, which grows commonly among corn. The expressed juice of this flower stains linen of a beautiful blue colour, but is not permanent. Mr. Boyle says, that the juice of the inner petals, with a little alum, makes a beautiful permanent colour, equal to ultramarine.

Lesser Centaury. See Gentiana.