SCIENTIFIC NAME: Gentiana andrewsii
COMMON NAMES: Bottle Gentian, Closed Bottle Gentian, Andrew's Gentian, Closed Gentian
BLOOM TIME: Aug, Sept, Oct
PLANT PROFILE:
- 2 ½ ft. tall with stalkless leaves 5 in. x 1 ½ in.
- Striking deep blue 1 ½ in. flowers in the shape of a bottle.
- Flowers in 1-3 clusters along stem remained closed except for white tip.
- Habitat: moist woods & prairies; does not tolerate drought.
- Cherokee used as tonic, laxative, & treatment for stomach ailments.
- Dried root was used centuries ago in Europe & Asia for weakness of digestive system or lack of appetite.
- Populations declining due to destruction of wetlands.
INSECT/ANIMAL INTERACTIONS:
- Bumblebees are primary pollinators of the flowers.
- Bumblebees one of few insects that can force their way into fused cone -shaped petal.
- Cylindrical flower shape & star-shaped tip keeps smaller & less efficient pollinating insects from robbing nectar & pollen from the bumblebees.
- Bitter-tasting foliage deters mammalian herbivores.
- Deer may chomp off tender tops of plants before they have a chance to flower, causing central stem to form smaller side branches.
- Seeds are too small to be of much interest to birds.