Narrow-leaved Gentian

(Gentiana linearis)

 

Color Photograph: © by and courtesy of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Narrow-leaved Gentian (Gentiana linearis)

Identification: Flowers showy, large, blue-purple (rarely white). Flower petals held partially closed by a fringed membrane, although tips of petals are free and rounded. Sepals straight, forming a tube for the base of the flowers. Flowers in a small terminal cluster and in the leaf axils further down the stem. Leaves lanceolate, narrow, in opposite pairs and with smooth outer margins. Plant 6 to 24 inches in height.

Distribution: Minnesota in the west to Labrador in the west, southward in the mountains to West Virginia and Tennessee.

Habitat: Narrow-leaved Gentian is found in bogs, wet woods, and damp meadows.

Flowering period: August to September.

Narrow-leaved Gentian (Gentiana linearis)

Similar Species:

The tubular flowers, slightly open at the apex, and the elongate, narrow leaves readily identify this species.

Similar Species

No Similar Species