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Gentiana sceptrum

Gentiana sceptrum Griseb.

King's Scepter Gentian

Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)

Synonym(s): Gentiana menziesii, Gentiana sceptrum var. cascadensis, Gentiana sceptrum var. humilis

USDA Symbol: gesc

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

The upright stems of this gentian are 1-2 or more ft. tall and occur in clumps. Leaves are opposite. Usually several showy, bright blue, tubular flowers top the stem. The petals are often green-streaked or mottled.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: CA , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: B.C., s. (w. of the Cascades, especially near the coast) to n.w. CA
Native Habitat: Bogs & wet places

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet or moist soil.
Conditions Comments: Better for lowland gardens than G. calycosa.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			OBL							OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 36 - Jepson eFlora (2019) The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Gentiana sceptrum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Gentiana sceptrum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Gentiana sceptrum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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