List of Gentianales of Montana facts for kids
Did you know that Montana is home to at least 28 different kinds of plants from a special group called Gentianales? This group includes interesting plants like dogbanes, gentians, and milkweeds. Some of these plants are "exotics," meaning they originally came from other places and were brought to Montana. Other plants in this group are called "Species of Concern." This means scientists are worried about them because their numbers might be getting low, so they need special attention to help protect them.
Dogbane Plants: Tough and Unique
Family: Apocynaceae
Dogbanes are a small group of plants known for their tough, fibrous stems. Native Americans once used these fibers to make things like rope and baskets! While they might look simple, they are quite resilient. In Montana, you can find at least two types of dogbane plants.
- Apocynum androsaemifolium, spreading dogbane
- Apocynum cannabinum, clasping-leaf dogbane
Gentian Flowers: Beautiful and Diverse
Family: Gentianaceae
Gentians are a large and beautiful family of flowering plants. They are famous for their unique flower shapes and often vibrant colors, like deep blues, purples, and even green. Many gentians grow in mountain areas or wet meadows. They can be quite tricky to spot sometimes! Montana has many different kinds of gentians, each with its own special look.
- Centaurium exaltatum, western centaury
- Eustoma grandiflorum, showy prairie-gentian
- Frasera albicaulis, white-stem frasera
- Frasera speciosa, green gentian
- Gentiana affinis, prairie gentian
- Gentiana algida, whitish gentian
- Gentiana calycosa, explorer's gentian
- Gentiana fremontii, moss gentian
- Gentiana glauca, glaucous gentian
- Gentiana prostrata, pygmy gentian
- Gentianella amarella, northern gentian
- Gentianella propinqua, four-parted gentian
- Gentianella tenella, slender gentian
- Gentianopsis macounii, Macoun's gentian
- Gentianopsis simplex, hiker's gentian
- Gentianopsis thermalis, Rocky Mountain fringed gentian
- Halenia deflexa, spurred gentian
- Lomatogonium rotatum, marsh felwort
- Swertia perennis, felwort
Milkweed Plants: Home for Butterflies
Family: Asclepiadaceae
Milkweeds are super important plants, especially for butterflies! They get their name from the milky sap that comes out when their stems or leaves are broken. This sap can be a bit sticky. Many types of milkweed are the only plants that monarch butterfly caterpillars can eat. So, milkweeds are like a special nursery for these amazing insects. Montana has several kinds of milkweeds.
- Asclepias incarnata, swamp milkweed
- Asclepias ovalifolia, ovalleaf milkweed
- Asclepias pumila, low milkweed
- Asclepias speciosa, showy milkweed
- Asclepias stenophylla, narrowleaf milkweed
- Asclepias verticillata, whorled milkweed
- Asclepias viridiflora, green milkweed
