lesser fringed gentian
(Gentianopsis virgata ssp. virgata)
Conservation • Wetland • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Use • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | not listed |
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| NatureServe | NNR - Unranked SNR - Unranked |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Wetland Indicator Status |
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| Great Plains | OBL - Obligate wetland |
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| Midwest | OBL - Obligate wetland |
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| Northcentral & Northeast | OBL - Obligate wetland |
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Description |
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Lesser fringed gentian (ssp. virgata) is a 4″ to 20″ tall, erect, annual forb that rises on a single stem from a taproot. The stems are erect, hairless, leafy, and unbranched or with a few branches above the middle. Basal and lower stem leaves are opposite and spatula-shaped. Upper stem leaves are opposite, linear or narrowly linear lance-shaped, stalkless, 1″ to 2½″ long, and less than ⅜″ wide. They taper to a point at the tip. The upper and lower surfaces are hairless. The margins are untoothed. The inflorescence is 1 to 6 solitary flowers at the end of the stem and each of the branches. Each flower is on a long stalk. The flowers are narrowly bell-shaped, erect, ¾″ to 2¼″ high, and and 1½″ to 2″ wide. There are 4 light green sepals fused together from the base into a ⅝″ to 1¼″ long tube, then separated into 2 long and 2 short lobes. The lobes are erect, pointed, and hairless or nearly hairless. The midrib of each sepal forms a bumpy keel. There are 4 bright blue petals fused from the base for three-quarters of their length into a tube then separated at the tip into 4 lobes. There are no pleats between the petals. The lobes are spatula-shaped, rounded, and widely spaced though usually somewhat ascending. They lobe margin is shallowly fringed near the throat and toothed toothed toward the tip. The flowers open on sunny days and remain closed on cloudy days. The fruit is a spindle-shaped, 1-chambered capsule containing many seeds. |
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Height |
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4″ to 20″ |
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Flower Color |
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Bright blue |
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Similar Species |
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Greater fringed gentian (Gentianopsis crinita) is a larger plant, reaching up to 32″ in height. The leaves are lance-shaped, not linear. The petal margins are deeply fringed around their entire margin except near the base. Macoun’s fringed gentian (Gentianopsis virgata ssp. macounii) |
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Habitat |
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Wet. Bogs, meadows, shores. |
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Ecology |
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Flowering |
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August to October |
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Pests and Diseases |
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Use |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 4/28/2023 | ||||
Nativity |
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Native |
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Occurrence |
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Taxonomy |
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| 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) | ||
| Class | Magnoliopsida (flowering plants) | ||
| Superorder | Asteranae | ||
Order |
Gentianales (gentians, dogbanes, madders, and allies) | ||
Family |
Gentianaceae (gentian) | ||
| Tribe | Gentianeae (gentian) | ||
| Subtribe | Swertiinae (dwarf, fringed, and green gentians) | ||
Genus |
Gentianopsis (fringed gentians) | ||
| Species | Gentianopsis virgata (lesser fringed gentian) | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Gentiana crinita var. browniana Gentiana procera Gentianella crinita ssp. procera Gentianopsis procera Gentianopsis procera var. procera |
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Common Names |
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Great Plains fringed gentian lesser fringed gentian small fringed gentian smaller fringed gentian |
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Glossary
Keeled
Folded, as in a grass blade, or with a raised ridge, as in a grass sheath; like the keel of a boat.
Linear
Long, straight, and narrow, with more or less parallel sides, like a blade of grass.
Sepal
An outer floral leaf, usually green but sometimes colored, at the base of a flower.
Visitor Photos |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption. |
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Dan W. Andree |
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Possibly a Fringed Gentian Plant ...Lee WPA... |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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| Gentiana procera Joshua Mayer |
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About
Lesser Fringed Gentian |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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Visitor Sightings |
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Report a sighting of this plant. |
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| This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location. |
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| Dan W. Andree 9/6/2019 |
Location: Lee WPA rural Norman county, MN Possibly a Fringed Gentian Plant ...Lee WPA... |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created 10/14/2009
Last Updated: