Flower ID: IMG_9897.JPG-10-01-2021 Flower name (scientific): Gentiana puberulenta J. S. Pringle PY: 1966. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) jen-shee-AN-uh puberulent poo-ber-yoo-LEN-ta (pu-ber-u-LEN-ta) Flower name (common): Downy Gentian Family name (common): Gentian Family name (scientific): Gentianaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Named for King Gentius, who ruled Illyria from 181 to 168 BCE. He may have discovered the tonic properties of the bitter roots of the related species Gentiana lutea. Specific epithet: From the Latin for puberulent, meaning minutely pubescent, that is, slightly downy with very short hairs. Common name origin: Downy for the short hairs on the stem and leaves, and from the name of the genus to which this species belongs. Flower description: Size: 1.2 to 2.3 inches (3.0 to 5.8 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: blue Other: flower arrangement, Cluster 1 to 9 flowers. Plant description: Size: 8 to 20 inches (20 to 51 cm) Stem hairy: minutely hairy. Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Leaves up to about 7 cm long and up to 20 to 30 mm wide. Color: medium green Hairy: margins minutely hairy near base. Other: Shape: leaf, lanceolate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): August to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, savannas, woods, sun, mesic to dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.796370 Longitude: -91.513502 Altitude: 272.80 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Burnett, Chippewa, Columbia, Dane, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Monroe, Pierce, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, St. Croix, Vernon, Walworth, Waukesha, Waushara, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NY, OH, OK, SD, TN, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (MB, ON, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): na Heterotypic Synonym(s): POWO lists 1 heterotypic synonym for this species. Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed