Gentian Family [Gentianaceae] |
status
flower
flower
inner
morph
petals
type
stem
toxicity
sex
18th sept 2019, Stanhope, Peak District. | Photo: © Ann Andrean |
It is a perennial with erect stems standing up to 60cm high and with between 1 to 30 flowers. The leaves are lanceolateto ovate and Willow-like in form, hence its common name. |
18th sept 2019, Stanhope, Peak District. | Photo: © Ann Andrean |
The flowers are quite large with 5 blue petals and purple spots within the tube. A style with surrounding stamens can just be seen within the 'trumpet'. As-yet not fully opened flowers have their pointed petals sticking forwards (the flower on the left). Withereing flowers beneath. |
18th sept 2019, Stanhope, Peak District. | Photo: © Ann Andrean |
Apart from the long lanceolate leaves, another defining characteristic is the narrow and tubular brownish sepal tube from which the flower emerges. This has long thin sepal teeth, greenish here. |
18th sept 2019, Stanhope, Peak District. | Photo: © Ann Andrean |
Withering florets. |
18th sept 2019, Stanhope, Peak District. | Photo: © Ann Andrean |
The long, lanceolate willow-like leaves with 5 long veins. They are between 2 to 12cm long. |
18th sept 2019, Stanhope, Peak District. | Photo: © Ann Andrean |
The leaves are also bullate (with bumps between the minor veins). |
Uniquely identifiable characteristics Distinguishing Feature : For a Gentian: the long lanceolate leaves and the narrow and linear sepal tube. It is a neophyte which can naturalise beside streans and in shady places and is found more often in Northern England and Scotland, and is less naturalised in Southern England.
|
Gentiana | asclepiadea | ⇐ Global Aspect ⇒ | Gentianaceae |
Gentiana (Gentians) |
Gentian Family [Gentianaceae] |