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Gentiana autumnalis - (image 1 of 5)

Taxonomy

Family: Gentianaceae

Habitat

Moist pine barrens.

Associates

Distribution

On the coastal plain from NJ to SC.

Morphology

Perennial herb to 50 cm; leaves opposite, linear to narrowly oblanceolate, 2-7 cm long by 1-5(-8) mm wide, narrow to the base; flowers usually solitary and terminal, the peduncle to 3 cm; calyx lobes linear, 1-2.5 cm, not ciliate; corollas blue, spotted with bronze-green inside the tube; corolla lobes loosely spreading, ovate or elliptic, obtuse, the free portion 1-1.5 cm; anthers separate.

Notes

Flowers September to October

Wetland indicator: FACW

This species has a very limited range and is considered to be globally rare (G3). Most populations occur in NJ and the Carolinas. Fire is probably important for reducing competition and many populations are now restricted to roadsides and utility right of ways where mowing and spraying simulate the effect of occasional fires.

References

Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.

The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY

USDA, NRCS. 2002.
The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov).
National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

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