Gentiana calycosa

Mountain Bog Gentian

Mountain Bog Gentian
aka Explorer’s Gentian. A reason to hike late in the season as the Park’s only member of the Gentian family reaches full bloom in late August/September. A single lavish deep blue tubular flower, 1″ – 1.5″ (3 – 4 cm) long, tops each stem, which range from 4 ” – 10″ tall. A bouquet is formed by the tuft of multiple stems. Look closely for the two sharp-pointed teeth between each of the five petals. Common in moist meadows, seeps and, of course, bogs between 4,500′ to 8,000′ elevation.

Family:

Gentianaceae - GENTIAN FAMILY

Genus:

Gentiana after Gentius, king of Illyria who discovered medicinal virtues

Species:

calycosa means 'cup-like'
Photo location: Snow Lake, Summerland and along the WLT above Berkeley Park.