Monday, January 19, 2015

Bottle Gentian

Photographed 5 October 2014, Pin Oak Marsh, Chariton, Iowa.
Gentiana andrewsii, native Lucas County perennial, 1-2 feet tall with multiple unbranched stems from taproot, opposite lanceolate or ovate leaves up to 4 and a half inches long, 2 inches across, uppermost tier of leaves often whorled with clusters of flowers immediately above. Distinctive flowers never "open," always giving the appearance of a closed flower bud. Pollinated most frequently by bumblebees --- with the strength to penetrate the blossom.

Blooms late summer into mid fall most often in moist rich soil --- black soil prairies or damp areas near bodies of water. 

Photographed 5 October 2014, Pin Oak Marsh, Chariton, Iowa.
Photographed 5 October 2014, Pin Oak Marsh, Chariton, Iowa

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