Gentianella campestris

Gentianella campestris, common name field gentian,[2] is a herbaceous biennial flowering plant in the Gentianaceae (gentian family).

Gentianella campestris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Gentianaceae
Genus: Gentianella
Species:
G. campestris
Binomial name
Gentianella campestris
(L.) Boerner
Synonyms
  • Gentiana campestris L.
  • Gentianella baltica auct.;
  • Gentiana baltica auct.[1]

Description
Close-up on flowers

Gentianella campestris is a plant of small size, reaching on average 3–30 centimetres (1.2–11.8 in) in height.[3] It has erect stems, simple or branched at the base and the leaves are opposite, ovate-lanceolate and unstalked. The flowers are 15–30 millimetres (0.59–1.18 in) in size.[3] Their color is usually bluish-purple, but may be white, pink or lilac, with petals and sepals fused (gamopetalous and gamosepalous). There are four petals, ciliate at the base. There are also four sepals, which differ in size (two are wide and two narrow). The flowering period extends from June to October.[3] The fruit is a capsule.

Distribution

Field gentian is widespread in northern, central and southern Europe[2] and its distribution range includes the European Alps and the Jura.[3]

  • Close-up of flowers
  • Leaves

Habitat

This plant prefers moderately moist to rather dry substrates and neutral or acid soils of alpine meadows, lawns, pastures, forest clearings and roadsides, at an altitude of 1,000–2,300 metres (3,300–7,500 ft) above sea level.[3] On the Isle of Man the species is found, and flourishes at sea level on the Ayres National Nature Reserve.[4]

Subspecies
  • Gentianella campestris subsp. baltica (Murb.) Á. Löve & D. Löve
  • Gentianella campestris subsp. campestris
  • Gentianella campestris subsp. suecica (Froel.) Tzvelev [5]

References
  1. Habitas
  2. "Gentianella campestris". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  3. Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia – Edagricole – 1982. Vol. II, pag. 343
  4. https://www.biosphere.im/news-details/threatened-plant-thrives-ayres/
  5. Biolib
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