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Photographer: Robert R. Kowal
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Family Gentianaceae
Gentiana andrewsii Griseb. var. andrewsii
Andrews' gentian, bottle gentian, prairie closed gentian
Gentiana: named after Gentius, King of Illyria, who around 500 B.C. found the roots of the herb yellow gentian or bitterwort to have a healing effect on his malaria-stricken troops
andrewsii: for Henry Charles Andrews, English botanical artist and engraver of early 19th century
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| Status: | Native |
| Plant: | erect, perennial, 1'-3' tall forb, smooth, usually unbranched |
| Flower: | white to blue, 5-parted, 1 1/4" -1 3/4" long, top closed, folds between the petals; inflorescence a cluster, those from the top are stalked, those from the leaf axils often stalkless; blooms Aug.-Oct. |
| Leaf: | mostly stalkless, lance-shaped |
| Habitat: | full to partial sun; moderate moisture to wet; prairies, meadows, woods; in sandy, loamy soil |
| Notes: | our commonest gentian |
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