Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Gentianaceae

Genus:

Gentiana

Species:

Gentiana pennelliana

USDA Symbol:

GEPE3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jan,feb,mar,oct,nov,dec

Bloom Colors:

blue, violet

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

butterflies

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Found in fire-maintained pine flatwoods and wet prairies; tolerates periodic fire and may increase with fire management.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, sandy, well-drained soil

pH:

5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

native to wet pine flatwoods and seepage slopes

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days

Germination Time:

14–56 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination; sow on surface. Cool temperatures (50-60°F) improve germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI