Gentiana puberulenta J.S. Pringle

Prairie Gentain

© SRTurner

Family - Gentianaceae

Habit - Perennial forb.

Stems - Ascending to erect, to 50 cm, often multiple from base, minutely hairy in longitudinal lines.

	Stem and leaves.
© SRTurner

Leaves - Opposite, clasping, simple, entire, lanceolate, to 6 cm, margins minutely hairy near base.

	Stem and leaves at node.
© SRTurner

	Leaf abaxial.
© SRTurner

Inflorescence - Terminal solitary flowers or small clusters.

	Inflorescence.
© SRTurner

Flowers - Calyces basally fused, 5-lobed, 11-36 mm long, the linear to lanceolate lobes shorter than the tube. Corollas blue, funnelform, to 4 cm, free portion 5-lobed, 6-10 mm long, spreading at maturity. Petaloid appendages between the lobes toothed, pleated. Anthers free. Ovaries short-stalked, with inconspicuous nectary glands at bases, the style short or absent, the stigmas 2, persistent.

	Calyces.
© SRTurner

	Calyces.
© SRTurner

	Flower.
© SRTurner

	Corolla.
© SRTurner

	Corolla.
© SRTurner

Fruits - Capsules, longitudinally dehiscent by 2 valves.

Flowering - September - November.

Habitat - Prairies, savannas, glades, usually on calcareous substrate.

Origin - Native to the U.S.

Lookalikes - None.

Other info. - This beautiful and unmistakable species is one of three Missouri members of the Gentiana genus. It is easily differentiated from the other two by having corollas which are spread open at maturity. The rich, deep blue color of the corollas is a striking and uncommon hue among our flora. Although the plant occurs across most of the state, it is not common anywhere. Missouri is near the southern end of its natural range, which extends northward into Minnesota and North Dakota.

Photographs taken at Shaw Nature Reserve, Franklin County, MO, 10-3-2011, 9-8-2012, 9-27-2013, 9-12-2018, and at Victoria Glade, Jefferson County, MO, 10-7-2020 (SRTurner).