Gentianaceae
Gentian Family
Gentiana puberulenta J. Pringle
Gentiana puberula Michx.
- Stem: perennial; 1’ to 1 1/2’ tall; unbranched; short-hairy; leaf bases continue down stem as hairy lines; leaves crowded, about 1/2” apart.
- Leaves: opposite; linear with rounded, clasping bases and pointed tips; 1 1/2” by 1/2”; smooth above and below.
- Inflorescence: clusters of two to four flowers in the upper leaf axils.
- Flowers: purple, corolla tube 1 1/4” long with 3/16” points, points recurved; sepals 5/8” tall with abrupt, sharp tips; flowering from late August to late September.
- Fruits: seedpods develop within the drying corollas; about 1” long; opening into two halves; seeds numerous and tiny; fruiting begins in mid-August.
- Habitat: very infrequent on mesic to dry prairies.
- Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
- Vascular Plants of Iowa
Can be found in these counties:
