Native Plants
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Gentiana saponaria
Gentiana saponaria L.
Harvestbells, Soapwort Gentian
Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: GESA
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Harvestbells or soapwort gentian, a perennial, grows 8-20 in. tall, having light-green, opposite, lance-shade leaves on slender stems. The blue-violet flowers are bottle-shaped, opening only partly, and occur in terminal or axillary clusters.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MD , MI , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WVNative Distribution: S. NY to WI, s. to FL & LA
Native Habitat: Moist depressions; margins of woodland creeks & ponds
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Fertile, sandy loam.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Bumble BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by division or seed. Scatter seeds on a flat when ripe and cover with a fine mulch. Leaves seedings in the flat until the end of the second growing season. Divide root crowns in fall or early spring and plant 1 ft. apart.Seed Collection: Cut stems below capsule and tap or shake seeds from it. Store in a sealed, refrigerated container up to four years.
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Additional resources
USDA: Find Gentiana saponaria in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Gentiana saponaria in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Gentiana saponaria
Metadata
Record Modified: 2014-08-04Research By: TWC Staff