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Gentianaceae
Marsh Gentian
Gentiana pneumonanthe
Rare beauty and devotion.
- Family
- Gentianaceae
- Genus
- Gentiana
- Native to
- Europe, Western Asia
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- herbaceous
- Height
- 6-18 in
- Sunlight
- full sun to partial shade
- Soil
- wet, acidic, peaty
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- 4-8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The stunning blue flowers only open fully on sunny days and close tightly in rain or at dusk.
- It is the sole food plant for the caterpillar of the rare Alcon blue butterfly, which then tricks ant colonies into raising its young.
- The species name 'pneumonanthe' means 'lung flower' in Greek, as it was once used to treat lung ailments.
- Marsh gentian has become increasingly rare across Europe due to wetland drainage and is legally protected in several countries.
- Each flower is trumpet-shaped with distinctive green spots and white stripes inside, visible only when the bloom is fully open.
Color meanings
0
devotion
1
rarity
2
intrinsic worth
3
patience