A native plant with distinctive bottle-shaped blue flowers that never open completely.

Also called: Bottle Gentian, Closed Gentian

Native status: Native to eastern and central US

§ Quick facts

SizeHeight 30–60 cm
LifespanPerennial
OrderGentianales
FamilyGentianaceae

§ Encyclopedia

Gentiana andrewsii, the bottle gentian, closed gentian, or closed bottle gentian, is an herbaceous species of flowering plant in the gentian family Gentianaceae. Gentiana andrewsii is native to northeastern North America, from the Dakotas to the East Coast and through eastern Canada.

Source: Wikipedia — Gentiana andrewsii Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Erect plant with closed deep-blue bottle-shaped flowers in clusters; opposite leaves.

Similar species. Fringed Gentian (open flowers). Closed Gentian (similar).

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. N/A — photosynthesis

Behavior. Native wetland flower with distinctive closed bottle-shaped blue flowers; only large bumblebees are strong enough to force them open.

§ Range

Eastern North America

§ Habitat

Wet meadows, marshes

§ Threats

Wetland loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the bottle gentian is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support wetland conservation.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USDA Plants Database
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center