Green gentian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green gentian |
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| Halenia deflexa at Isle Royale National Park, Michigan | |
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| Genus: |
Halenia
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| Species: |
deflexa
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The green gentian (scientific name: Halenia deflexa) is a beautiful wild flower. It is also called the spurred gentian. You can find it growing naturally in the northern parts of the United States. This includes states like Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, and Pennsylvania. It also grows all across Canada.
This plant loves wet places. You will often see it in wetlands or moist forests. The green gentian usually blooms, or flowers, during the summer months. Its blooming season is typically from July to August.
Contents
What Does the Green Gentian Look Like?
Its Unique Flowers
The flowers of the green gentian grow in small groups. Each group can have between two and nine flowers. Each flower is about 8 to 13 millimeters (about 1/3 to 1/2 inch) long. They have four petals.
A special part of each flower is its "spur." This spur is like a small tube that sticks out from the back of the flower. It can be up to 5 millimeters (about 1/5 inch) long. The spurs extend past the sepals. Sepals are small, leaf-like parts that protect the flower bud.
The flowers can be a shade of purple or a light green color. The sepals are green and have an oval shape. They are about half the length of the petals above the spur.
The Fruit of the Plant
After the flower blooms, it produces a fruit. This fruit is called a capsule. It has a cone shape and sticks out from the flower's opening. The capsule is usually dry. When it is ready, it will split open to release its seeds.
Leaves and Stems
The green gentian has simple leaves. They are small, typically measuring from 1 to 5 centimeters (about 0.4 to 2 inches) long. They are also about 5 to 20 millimeters (about 0.2 to 0.8 inches) wide. The leaves are smooth, shiny, and do not have any teeth along their edges.
The stems of the green gentian are also smooth. They have a square shape.
Where Does it Grow?
The green gentian is a native plant to North America. This means it has grown in these areas for a very long time. Its favorite places are moist environments. This includes damp forests and marshy areas. It needs plenty of moisture to grow well.
See also
In Spanish: Frasera para niños
