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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn
Eustoma exaltatum (L.) Salisb. ex G. Don
Catchfly prairie gentian, Bluebell gentian, Western blue gentian, Blue marsh lily, Small bluebell, Catchfly gentian, Seaside gentian
Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)
USDA Symbol: EUEX5
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Eustoma means open mouth, referring to the large throat of the flower. It prefers damp areas and seems to reach peak condition on moist prairies, where it sometimes grows in profusion. The large, bell-shaped flowers, 2-3 inches across, have 5-7 bluish-purple petals, less than 1 inch long, which are constricted into a small tube at the base and have prominent purple markings in the throat. The plants are 1-2 feet high with smooth, erect stems and branches. The leaves are long and oval with pointed tips, 1-2 1/2 inches long.
Although it is often referred to as the Seaside Gentian, this plant is not restricted to coastal habitats; it also grows in the Great Plains from Montana to New Mexico. The interior subspecies, E. exaltum ssp. russellianum, is called the Showy Prairie Gentian. The genus name, from the Greek eu (good) and stoma (mouth), refers to the wide opening of the corolla tube.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , PurpleBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: The large, bell-shaped flowers, 2-3 inches across, have 5-7 bluish-purple petals, less than 1 inch long, which are constricted into a small tube at the base and have prominent purple markings in the throat.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , FL , KS , LA , MS , MT , NE , NM , OK , SD , TX , WYNative Distribution: Southern United States from Florida west to California and north in the interior to Montana and South Dakota.
Native Habitat: Sandy coastal areas, moist places in prairies and fields, and saline to freshwater marshes.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesMr. Smarty Plants says
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February 28, 2008
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Native plants for seasonal poor drainage
May 16, 2006
I have an area in my front yard that has a drainage ditch running through it. When it rains, that area stays very wet. What kind of plants available for sale will work in this situation?
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
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Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Eustoma exaltatum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Eustoma exaltatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eustoma exaltatum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2012-09-29Research By: TWC Staff
