About Gentiana puberulenta J.S.Pringle
Gentiana puberulenta, commonly known as downy gentian or prairie gentian, is a branchless perennial plant in the Gentianaceae family that is native to North America. It reaches a height of approximately ¾ to 1½ feet. Its flowers are bright blue to deep blue-violet, bell-shaped, upright, and five-lobed, measuring 1½ to 2¼ inches across when fully open. These flowers grow in clusters of 1 to 8 at the apex of the plant. Its leaves are lanceolate, sessile, and glossy, growing up to 3 inches long and 1¼ inches across. Leaves are arranged oppositely along the central stem, though they grow in whorls of 3 to 7 at the plant's apex. This species grows in dry upland prairies, dry upland woods, and rocky open slopes.
