Gentianella amarella, August 10, 2023
August 26
Common & scientific name
Autumn dwarf gentian, Gentianella amarella subspecies acuta
Family
Gentian, Gentianaceae
Location
Mountain Boy, 12,000’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
Autumn dwarf gentian’s flowers are a lovely shade of lavender. They grow in small clusters from the tip of the stem and from most of the leaf axils. They have four or five petals, equal in length, that flare widely to reveal a circle of long white hairs. Autumn dwarf gentian can be tall like this plant, or much smaller depending on elevation and conditions. While July 26 hardly counts as “autumn,” it is like all gentians (save green gentian) a sign of the waning summer season.
Upper Lost Man, 12,100’, August 26, 2023