Andrews' Bottle Gentian, flower
PLANT INFO
Common Name
| Andrews' Bottle Gentian |
Popular Name(s)
|
Bottle Gentian, Closed Gentian
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Scientific Name
| Gentiana andrewsii |
Family Name
| |
Type
| Wildflower |
Longevity
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Perennial
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Origin
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Native
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PLANT PHOTOS
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Whole Plant (Growth Form) Characteristics
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30-90 cm tall
|
Leaf Characteristics
|
Stalkless, lanceolate, parallel venation, no hairs, opposite at the base, may be whorled higher on the stem
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Stem Characteristics
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Erect, unbranched (if consumed by deer prior to flowering, side branching may occur)
|
Flower and Flowering Head Characteristics
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4 cm, white or violet, closed bulb-like, 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 stamens, clustered, in axils of upper leaves or at ends
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Fruit Characteristics
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2.5 cm capsule, petals become papery wrapping
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Seed Characteristics
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Small, paper-thin, wing-margined
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Other Notable Visual Characteristics
| |
Look-A-Likes
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Yellow Gentian (Gentiana flavida): Bottle Gentians with white flowers look similar to Yellow Gentian, Yellow Gentian has more clasped leaves and flowers open slightly at the top
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HABITAT AND PHENOLOGY
Habitat
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Flood plain forests, fens, wetlands
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Plant Emergence Time
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May-June
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Flowering Period
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August-September
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Fruit / Seed Period
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Mid September-November
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FUNCTIONAL VALUE
Food Value
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Bitter leaves and roots, used in liquors or schnapps
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Toxins
| |
Cultural Value
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Used as an anti-inflammatory, reduce fevers and digestive problems
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Pollinator Value
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Wasp, bees, flies, moths, butterflies
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Other Modern Uses
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Pollinated by large bees, closed flowers inhibits entry from smaller insects
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