Gentian (4)
Gentians are some of the last flowers to bloom in the season, they are a sure sign that summer is ending. They are easy to recognize with their blue/purple tubular flowers and opposite leaves.
Fringed Gentian Family:
Gentian (Gentianaceae) Grows to 15" with a single 2" flower on a smooth stem. The four petals twist and fold over each other and are fringed on the outer edges. |
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Fringed Gentian grows in vast colonies carpeting the meadows with purple.
Photo taken on:
August 1, 2007 |
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A month later the first bloom in July had fruited but Gentians were still blooming on stalks only 2" high.
Photo taken on:
August 25, 2007 |
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Twisted Gentian Family:
Gentian (Gentianaceae) Grows to 5" with long , thick spatula-shaped leaves. Flower petals are finely fringed all round. |
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Pleated Gentian Family:
Gentian (Gentianaceae) Grows to 16" in clusters with a maroon stem. The flower is similar to but narrower than Parry's Gentian. Flowers bloom from the leaf axils in a spike-like cluster. Buds are cone-shaped opening with 5 pointed lobes .
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Parry's Gentian Family:
Gentian (Gentianaceae) Grows to 15" in patches. Large goblet-shaped flowers have a white throat and wide-spreading blue tips with greenish-purple dots. Flowers bloom in clusters at the top of the stem. |