Pygmy gentian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pygmy gentian |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gentiana
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| Species: |
prostrata
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| Synonyms | |
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Chondrophylla nutans |
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The Gentiana prostrata is a special type of flower. People often call it the pygmy gentian because it is quite small. It belongs to the gentian family of plants.
This tiny plant grows naturally in many parts of the world. You can find it in places like Europe and Asia (Eurasia). It also lives in western North America. This includes areas from Alaska and northern Canada all the way down to Colorado and California. It loves to grow in wet spots high up in the mountains.
Contents
What Does Pygmy Gentian Look Like?
The pygmy gentian is a small plant. It is an annual herb, which means it lives for only one growing season. It usually grows only a few centimeters tall.
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are shaped like ovals. They are usually green and can be up to about six millimeters long. Sometimes, the edges of the leaves are a dull white color.
The plant has a single flower. This flower is about one centimeter wide at its opening. The petals are deep blue to purple. They have a triangular or diamond shape. Between each petal, there is a small, jagged part with thin, thread-like tips.
Fruit and Seeds
After the flower blooms, it forms a fruit. This fruit is a small capsule. Inside the capsule are the seeds. These seeds do not have wings, which is common for many plant seeds.
Where Pygmy Gentian Grows
The pygmy gentian is found in many different places around the world. It grows in both Eurasia and North America.
North American Homes
In North America, you can find it in the western parts. This includes cold places like Alaska and northern Canada. It also grows further south in states like Colorado and California.
Mountain Habitats
This plant prefers to live in high mountains. It likes areas that are moist, meaning they have a lot of water. This could be near streams or wet meadows in the mountains.
