description Stiff Gentian Overview
Stiff gentian (Gentianella quinquefolia) is an annual or biennial wildflower in the gentian family native to eastern North America. It bears clusters of upright, tubular flowers that are usually pale purple or lavender and divided into five pointed lobes. The plant blooms from late summer into autumn and occurs in habitats such as moist meadows, open woods, rocky slopes, and calcareous glades.
help Stiff Gentian FAQ
What is the scientific name of stiff gentian, and where does it grow?
Stiff gentian is Gentianella quinquefolia, a member of the gentian family native to eastern North America. It is rare in parts of New England and is associated with high-pH bedrock. [Go Botany](https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/gentianella/quinquefolia/)
How can I recognize stiff gentian in the field?
Look for upright stems carrying clusters of tubular flowers that are usually pale purple or lavender. The corolla is commonly divided into four or five sharp lobes, while the leaves are simple and opposite.
When does stiff gentian flower, and what habitat should I search?
It is usually a late-summer to fall bloomer found in meadows, fields, roadsides, pond shores, and river or lake margins. It can also grow in human-maintained habitats rather than only in undisturbed woodland.
Is stiff gentian an annual or a perennial plant?
Catalog descriptions generally treat stiff gentian as an annual or biennial rather than a long-lived perennial. Its dry fruit is a capsule that splits open when mature and releases seeds.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
