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Gentiana clausa
Common Name of Species: Bottle
Gentian, Closed Gentian
Family: Gentianaceae
Key Characteristics: Bottle Gentian can be identified by the deep bluish/purple, cylindrical flower heads that never open and grow in clusters, even in full maturity.
Leaves: Leaves can grow to be 4 inches long, and can be ovate or lance shaped.
Flowers: Dark bluish-purple petals that stays closed. Grow in clusters and are 1-1 ½ inches long.
Stem: Stems are smooth and erect.
Height: 1-2 feet tall.
Branching Pattern of Leaves: Leaves form a whorl shape below flowers, and then are opposite further below that.
Conditions/Habitat: Grows in moist thickets and meadows.
Range: Can be found South of Canada to Virginia, west to Nebraska and Missouri and north to North Dakota.
References:
Niering, W.A., Olmstead, N.C, & Thieret, J.W. (2001). National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers Eastern Region (Revised Edition). New York: Random House Inc.
Newcomb, Lawrence (1977). Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. New York: Little, Brown.
McKenny, M. & Peterson R.T. (1996). Peterson Field Guides: Wildflowers Northeastern/ North-central North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
USDA, NRCS (2004). Plants Database, Version 3.05 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874 USA.