Striped gentian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Striped gentian |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gentiana
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| Species: |
villosa
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| Range of G. villosa in North America | |
The striped gentian (Gentiana villosa) is a type of flowering plant. It is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. This plant belongs to the Gentiana family.
You can find the striped gentian mostly in the Eastern United States. Some Native American tribes have used this plant for traditional medicine.
Contents
What Does the Striped Gentian Look Like?
The striped gentian plant can grow up to two feet (about 60 cm) tall. Its leaves are dark green and shiny. They are shaped a bit like a spearhead, wider near the top.
Flowers and Seeds
The flowers of the striped gentian grow in clusters at the very top of the plant. They are white and have clear purple stripes. These stripes make the plant easy to spot!
The striped gentian usually blooms in the fall, from late August to October. Insects are drawn to the purple stripes and the sweet nectar inside the flowers. These insects help the plant make seeds by carrying pollen.
After blooming, the plant produces fruit from October to November. The seeds of the striped gentian are special because they do not have "wings." Many other gentian plants have winged seeds that help them spread in the wind.
Why the Name "Villosa"?
The name villosa comes from Latin and means "hairy." However, the striped gentian actually has no hair on its stem or leaves. This means it is "glabrous." So, it seems the plant might have been given a name that doesn't quite fit its look!
Where Does the Striped Gentian Grow?
The striped gentian lives in eighteen states across the East Coast and mid-eastern parts of the United States. It likes to grow in pine barrens (sandy, open forests) and open woodland areas.
States Where It Grows
You can find G. villosa in these states:
Endangered Status
In some of these states, the striped gentian is considered an endangered species. This means there are not many of these plants left, and they need protection. The four states where it is listed as endangered are:
How Has It Been Used?
The striped gentian is also known by another common name, "Sampson's snakeroot." This name suggests that people once believed it could help with snakebites.
In the Appalachian Mountains, some people carried the roots of the striped gentian as a good luck charm. The Catawba Indians, a Native American tribe, used the boiled roots of this plant as a traditional medicine to help ease back pain.
