GENTIANACEAE

GENTIAN FAMILY

James S. Pringle (except as specified)

Annual, perennial herb
Stem decumbent to erect, < 2 m
Leaves simple, cauline (sometimes also basal), opposite or whorled, entire, sessile or basal ± petioled; stipules 0
Flower bisexual, radial, parts in 4's or 5's, except pistil 1; sepals fused, persistent; petals fused, persistent or deciduous, corolla generally without fringes or scales on inner surface, sinuses between lobes generally unappendaged; stamens epipetalous, alternate corolla lobes; ovary superior, chamber 1, placentas parietal, often intruding
Fruit: capsule, 2-valved
Seeds many
Genera in family: ± 80 genera, 900 species: worldwide; some cultivated (Eustoma , Exacum , Gentiana )
Reference: [Wood & Weaver 1982 J Arnold Arbor 63:441–487]

GENTIANELLA

Annual, glabrous
Leaves basal and cauline, opposite
Inflorescence: cyme or flowers solitary in axils or on branches
Flower: parts in 4's or 5's; calyx tube < lobes; corolla < 2 cm, narrowly funnel-shaped, lobes spreading, < tube, subentire, with fringes or scales on inner surface near base, sinus appendages 0, nectary pits 0 (nectaries on lower part of corolla tube); ovary sessile, style indistinct or 0, stigma 2-branched, persistent
Species in genus: ± 250 species: ± worldwide, especially temp to alpine, except Africa
Etymology: (Latin: little Gentiana )
Reference: [Gillett 1957 Ann Missouri Bot Gard 44:195–269]

Native

G. tenella (Rottb.) Boerner subsp. tenella

Plant < 15(–25) cm
Stems decumbent to erect, 1–25, simple or branched near base
Leaves mostly basal, < 20 mm, elliptic-oblong to spoon-shaped; cauline 1–4 pairs, smaller
Inflorescence: pedicels 2–10 cm
Flower: calyx 4–11 mm, lobes >> tube, ovate to lanceolate; corolla pale violet-blue to white, lobes ovate-oblong, with 2 fringed scales at base of each
Chromosomes: 2n=10
Ecology: Open, wet places
Elevation: 3200–3900 m.
Bioregional distribution: c&s High Sierra Nevada, White and Inyo Mountains
Distribution outside California: to Alaska, Colorado; circumpolar
Flowering time: Jul–Aug
Synonyms: Gentiana t. Rottb
Horticultural information: TRY.