Downy Gentian

Description

Gentiana puberulenta, common name downy gentian, is a branchless perennial plant of the Gentianaceae family native to North America. It is about --1-' tall, with bright blue to deep blue-violet bell-shaped, upright, five-lobed flowers measuring 1- to 2- inches across when fully open. Flowers grow in clusters of 1-8 at the apex of the plant. Lanceolate, sessile, glossy leaves up to 3" long and 1-" across are arranged oppositely along the central stem, except at the apex where they grow in whorls of 3-7. Gentiana puberulenta grows in dry upland prairies and woods and rocky open slopes.