Common names:
Mountain bog gentian, Rainier pleated gentian
Family:
Scientific name:
Gentiana calycosa
Main flower color:
Range:
The Pacific states, west to Utah, (west) Wyoming and Montana
Height:
Up to 12 inches
Habitat:
Moist, open, mountainous areas at medium elevations
Leaves:
Opposite, oval or heart shaped, slightly cupped, quite thick; lower leaves fused around stem. Up to 1 inch long
Season:
July to October
The attractive funnel-shaped flowers of gentiana calycosa are blue or deep purple in color but whitish inside, with thin blue stripes and rows of green spots; the green patches persist at the base of the five lobes, which are somewhat pointed at the tip. In between are five much smaller projections, irregularly divided into two or more fringes. Flowers are relatively large, well over an inch in diameter, and bigger than the small green leaves. Plants are creepers, mostly rising just a few inches above the ground but they can grow up to one foot. Flowers are usually single; one per stalk.
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