Gentiana clausa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gentiana clausa |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Gentiana
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| Species: |
clausa
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The Gentiana clausa, also known as the Bottle Gentian, is a beautiful flowering plant found in eastern North America. It gets its common name because its blue flowers stay closed, looking a bit like a bottle. This plant grows about 1 to 2 feet tall and belongs to the Gentianaceae plant family.
What is a Bottle Gentian?
The Bottle Gentian is special because its flowers usually stay tightly closed. This is why its Latin name, clausa, means "closed." Even though the flowers don't open wide, they are a lovely deep blue color.
Where Does the Bottle Gentian Grow?
This plant loves moist places like meadows and woods. You can find it in higher areas, especially in the Appalachian Mountains. Its natural home stretches from Quebec in Canada, south through the Appalachian range, all the way to North Carolina and Tennessee in the United States.
What Does the Bottle Gentian Look Like?
The Bottle Gentian has leaves that grow in pairs along its stem. These leaves are shaped like a spearhead. The plant usually has stems that do not branch out. Its unique blue flowers appear from late August through October. They stay closed, giving the plant its distinctive "bottle" look.
