Gentianella quinquefolia (Stiff Gentian)
| Also known as: | Ague-weed |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Gentianella |
| Family: | Gentianaceae (Gentian) |
| Life cycle: | annual, short-lived perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | part shade, sun; wet; meadows, swamps, fens, shores, ditches, roadsides |
| Bloom season: | August - October |
| Plant height: | 9 to 30 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: none MW: FAC NCNE: FAC |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/pd/gentianella-quinquefolia-7298-1.jpg)
Clusters of 1 to 7 stalked flowers form at the ends of branching stems and arising from upper leaf axils. Flowers are light blue to violet or sometimes yellowish, ½ to nearly 1 inch long, tubular with 5 triangular lobes that fold in, closing the mouth of the tube, or stand erect when open. The calyx holding the flower is at least half the length of the flower tube, its narrow lobes up to 3/8 inch long.
Leaves and stems:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/purple/stiff-gentian_0913_151638.jpg)
Leaves are ½ to 2 inches long, about half as wide as long, lance-like or somewhat heart-shaped with a sharply pointed tip, stalkless or slightly clasping the stem. Edges and surfaces are smooth with 3 to 7 prominent parallel veins. Typically there is one strong central stem that branches freely from the upper leaf axils. Stems are smooth with four ridges, green to often deep red in color.
Notes:
Stiff Gentian is another native species that demonstrates a wide range of habitat tolerance from the rich moist lowlands of a wet prairie to the high rocky ridge tops as seen at Whitewater State Park. Species such as this often perform well in the home garden and are well worth experimenting with. There are 2 varieties of Gentianella quinquefolia in North America, with var. occidentalis found in Minnesota; var. quinquefolia, a more eastern species, has a much smaller calyx.
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More photos
Stiff Gentian plant
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more flowersPhotos by K. Chayka taken at Iron Horse Prairie SNA in Dodge County. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken at Whitewater State Park in Winona County, and in Mower County.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2013-10-03 13:55:48
My friend and I were harvesting blazing star seed for planting in a near by restoration project. Seen the bottle type, many, then here was this plant first time I have noticed the plant in that area. Waseca Co. Minnesota near New Richland, Mn..
on: 2014-09-14 23:14:53
I photographed this wildflower on the Oronoco SNA on 9/9/2014 on the tops and sides of the "Kame."
on: 2016-08-29 17:24:16
I have walked the munger trail in Moose Lake for several years and just came across them this week! So pretty! Love to find names of our wild flowers!!
on: 2016-08-30 21:32:42
Biking on the Paul Bunyan Trail by Pine River, Mn. on 8-28-2016 & looking @ all the different wild flowers. The most beautiful purple colored flower I had ever seen caught my eye low down in the ditch. It had not opened yet but was just striking, almost iridescent. I did not have a camera but am sure this is the flower.
on: 2017-09-13 13:01:53
First time find for me...had it identified by facebook plant ID and discussion group...found it by accident...looking for stiff sunflower...was very surprised to see that it is considered mostly annual.
on: 2017-10-02 16:00:10
Present near parking site for prairie garden. Was in full bloom 2 October.
on: 2017-10-10 18:34:24
I saw a lot of this species last Saturday (October 7) at the south edge of the mine glade at Mound Prairie SNA.
on: 2020-09-18 22:55:49
This is growing in a native plant slope that I planted in 2016. I have never seen it before and there are at least five plants. It appears to be well outside the known range in MN. Nice mystery as to where it came from!