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Gentianaceae
Bottle Gentian
Gentiana andrewsii
Hidden treasure.
- Family
- Gentianaceae
- Genus
- Gentiana
- Native to
- Eastern North America
- Bloom season
- Late Summer, Fall
- Type
- perennial herb
- Height
- 1-2 ft
- Sunlight
- part shade to sun
- Soil
- moist, rich
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 3-7
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The flowers never fully open — they stay tightly closed at the top like a corked bottle.
- Only large bumblebees are strong enough to pry the petals apart and reach the nectar inside.
- Inside the closed bloom, the flower is protected from rain that would dilute the nectar.
- It's one of the latest native wildflowers to bloom, sometimes lasting until October frosts.
- The intense blue color comes from gentiopicrin, a compound also responsible for the bitter flavor of gentian liqueurs.
Color meanings
0
mystery
1
loveliness