Minnesota Seasons - Bottle Bentian

Overview • Description • Distribution • Taxonomy

Overview

Photo by Bill Reynolds

Gentiana andrewsii, commonly known as the closed bottle gentian, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to North America. The flowers are a striking blue-purple color and are shaped like small bottles with closed mouths, hence the common name "closed bottle gentian".

Gentiana andrewsii is found in moist, shady habitats such as meadows, swamps, and along streambanks. It is a popular plant in ornamental gardens due to its striking appearance, but it is also an important plant for wildlife as it provides nectar for bees and butterflies. Additionally, the plant has a history of use in traditional medicine for various ailments, including digestive problems and fever.

Description

Gentiana andrewsii typically grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet and has a cluster of unbranched stems that emerge from a basal rosette.

The leaves lance-shaped and arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. They are dark green in color and have a smooth texture. The leaves can grow up to 4 inches in length and 1 inch in width.

The flowers are a striking blue-purple color and are shaped like small bottles with closed mouths. They grow in clusters at the top of the stem and bloom from August to October. The petals of the flower are fused at the base to form a tube that is about 1 inch in length. The flower tube then opens up into five pointed lobes, revealing the stamens and style inside. The flowers are pollinated by bees that are strong enough to push their way into the closed flower to reach the nectar at the base.

After the flowers have been pollinated, they develop into small, rounded capsules that contain numerous tiny seeds. The capsules split open when mature, releasing the seeds.

Gentiana andrewsii has a fibrous root system that spreads out horizontally just beneath the surface of the soil. The roots are important for absorbing water and nutrients from the soil.

Distribution

Distribution Map

Sources

2, 3, 5, 7, 24, 28, 29, 30.

Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 8/31/2025).

8/31/2025

Taxonomy
Kingdom	Plantae (green algae and land plants)
Subkingdom	Viridiplantae (green plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (land plants and green algae)
Superdivision	Embryophyta (land plants)
Division	Tracheophyta (vascular plants)
Subdivision	Spermatophytina (seed plants) / Angiospermae (flowering plants)
Class	Magnoliopsida (flowering plants)
Superorder	Asteranae
Order	Gentianales (gentians, dogbanes, madders, and allies)
Family	Gentianaceae (gentian)
Tribe	Gentianeae (gentian)
Subtribe	Gentianinae (gentian)
Genus	Gentiana (gentians)
Section	Pneumonanthe

Subordinate Taxa
bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii var. andrewsii) Dakota gentian (Gentiana andrewsii var. dakotica)

Synonyms
Cuttera catesbei Dasystephana andrewsii Gentiana catesbaei Gentiana saponaria Pneumonanthe andrewsii

Common Names
Andrew’s gentian Andrew’s bottle gentian bottle gentian closed bottle gentian closed gentian fringe-top bottle gentian prairie gentian prairie closed gentian

Visitor Photos

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Dan W. Andree

Noticed these growing recently at NWR Pavia Unit.

Val McGruder
A Bumble Bees Delight!

Robert Briggs

Bill Reynolds
I was a minute late with the camera, as a Bumble Bees was backing out of the bottle.

MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos


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Inflorescence		Inflorescence

Camera

Slideshows

Gentiana andrewsii BOTTLE GENTIAN
Frank Mayfield

About

Bottle or Andrews' Gentian

slideshow

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