Rainier Pleated Gentian

Gentiana calycosa

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Gentianaceae
Genus:
Gentiana
Species:
Gentiana calycosa

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
1-2 ft
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jul, aug, sep, oct
Bloom Colors:
Blue

Native Range

United States: California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), van Dyke bumble bee (Bombus vandykei), van Dyke bumble bee (Bombus vandykei), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
native to alpine and subalpine meadows

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are treated with 1000 ppm gibberellic acid soak with distilled water for 15 minutes, then rinsed with running water for 10 minutes. Imbibed seeds are placed on moistened paper towels using distilled water in open plastic bags under refrigeration at 2C for 100 days.

Establishment: Seeds are hand collected when capsules begin to split at the top. Seeds are tan at maturity. This species flowers in late summer and mature seeds are sometimes difficult to obtain before snowfall in September. A cutting test is essential prior to collection to ensure seed maturity and fill.

Source: npn.rngr.net