Gentiana andrewsii, the bottle gentian, closed gentian, or closed bottle gentian, is an herbaceous species of flowering plant in the gentian family Gentianaceae. Gentiana andrewsii is native to northeastern North America, from the Dakotas to the East Coast and through eastern Canada.
Family:
Gentianaceae (Gentian)
Height:
1 to 2 feet
Leaves:
Waxy, opposite, and lance-shaped, no teeth, 3 veins, leaf edges often curl upward forming a trough
Flower:
5 blue petals are fused, creating a bottle-shaped flower (1-1.5 inches), flowers form clusters at top of stem
Bloom time:
August-October
Nicknames:
Blue Bottle Gentian, Closed Bottle Gentian, Barrel Gentian, Blind Gentian, Andrew’s Gentian
Habitat:
Wet meadows, marshes, shrub swamps, lakeshores, streambanks
Wildlife Benefits:
Attractive nectar source for bumblebees; they are one of the only types of insects that are able to force the petals apart to get inside
Can I plant this in my garden?
Bottle gentian is a beautiful, late-season flower and is suitable for gardens with moist to wet soils. Plant in part shade to sun.
References:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/bottle-gentian
Family | Gentianaceae |
---|---|
Habit | Forb |
Origin | native |
Life cycle | perennial |
Flower | blue, purple |
Bloom time | (8) August, (9) September, 10 - October |
*sites | Snail Lake |