Gentiana andrewsii (Bottle Gentian)

Plant Info
Also known as: Closed Bottle Gentian, Andrew's Gentian
Genus:Gentiana
Family:Gentianaceae (Gentian)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; moist fields, thickets, edges of woods
Bloom season:August - September
Plant height:1 to 2 feet
Wetland Indicator Status:GP: FAC MW: FACW NCNE: FACW
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
National distribution (click map to enlarge):National distribution map

Pick an image for a larger view. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: 5-petals Flower shape: indistinct Flower shape: tubular Cluster type: flat Cluster type: round

[photo of flowers] Flowers are 1 to 1½ inches long, tubular with pleats between each of the 5 fused petals; the 5 lobes overlap and have tiny fringe or teeth around the tip. They never open and resemble large buds. Color can vary greatly but is typically blue to purplish, occasionally pink or white. A cluster of flowers sits at the top of the main stem. Some plants have additional small clusters arising from the leaf axils in the upper part of the plant.

Leaves and stem: Leaf attachment: opposite Leaf type: simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are up to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, tapering to a point at the tip with no leaf stalk but not clasping the stem. There are fine, rough hairs around the edges and 3 to 7 parallel veins running the length of the leaf. The upper side of the leaf is glossy. Unlike many other plants, leaves tend to become larger as they ascend the stem. Attachment is opposite, except at the very top of the plant where there is a whorl of leaves beneath the flower cluster. The main stem is thick and smooth, light green or purplish.

Fruit: Fruit type: capsule/pod

[photo of fruit] The fused petals become a papery wrapping for a 1-inch capsule with the remains of the style at the top and a seam down the sides.

[photo of seeds] As the fruit ripens the seams split to release many seeds, each wrapped in papery wings to facilitate dispersal by wind.

Notes:

Bottle Gentian plants tend to lean over as if under too much weight from the flower cluster, though the cluster tends to stay erect (decumbant). Bottle Gentian is pollinated almost exclusively by bumble bees because they are one of the few insects strong enough to pry open the closed flowers. Plants with white flowers may be confused with Yellow (or Cream) Gentian (Gentiana flavida), which has more clasping leaves and flowers that do open some at the top. Its flowers also typically have greenish venation on the petals. There are 2 varieties of Bottle Gentian in Minnesota, var. dakotica and var. andrewsii; the differences are very subtle.

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More photos

Photos by K. Chayka taken in Ramsey and Chisago counties. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Anoka County.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Mary P.
on: 2008-06-08 17:01:32

No, I have not seen this plant in Ramsey County, but I saw it last year in Stearns County on one of my walks by the Mississippi River. I thought the plant had blue buds or possibly seed pods on it. Today on my research to find the names of wild flowers I took pictures of at Quarry Park yesterday, I saw your picture of the bottle gentian, and recognized it. Now I can label the picture I took of it last year.

Posted by: randy - St Paul
on: 2008-06-18 22:25:52

This grows at Lower Afton Park off of 10 - even in the dog park part.

Posted by: Kathy - Anoka County
on: 2008-09-14 10:32:56

I just saw two of these plants while trail riding at Bunker Park Stables. Really unique and beautiful. Love this site!

Posted by: Cindra - Anoka County
on: 2008-09-14 14:36:35

I saw this beautiful flower for the first time on 9.13.08 at Bunker Park Stable in Anoka Country while on a trail ride. What an amazing flower!! I had to ride past it twice to be sure to get all of the identifying items to look up when I got home. I am a trail guide for the stable and am always thrilled when I see a "new" wildflower growing in our fields. Throughout the growing season I share my passion for wildflowers with our riders so they hopefully leave with either a new-found appreciation or a rekindled enthusiasm for our hobby!!

Posted by: Keith
on: 2008-09-30 06:31:32

Took a walk through Crow Wing State Park over the past weekend and spotted this flower - had never seen one like it, so after getting home looked it up --- Colors were Blue and Purple ---

Posted by: Donn H
on: 2009-05-08 05:44:09

The plant is seen growing in a ditch along a road near Lake Darling at Alexandria, Minnesota.

Posted by: Dori - LeSueur County
on: 2009-08-23 19:29:52

Just discovered the Bottle Gentian growing in our CRP acreage today while my husband and I were checking out the wildflowers growing there. A very striking flower, worth stopping and taking a second look!

Posted by: Susan - Douglas, MN
on: 2009-08-28 11:59:03

I discovered Cream Gentian blooming yesterday in our little piece of prairie. I've never seen this plant before--lovely!

Posted by: kelly - isanti county
on: 2009-08-29 17:54:15

I found this flower in my horse pasture near a swamp in partial shade. I have lived in north Branch my entire life and have never seen this unique flower. Wow! It is so beautiful.

Posted by: jeepinJ - wathum/dexter area
on: 2009-09-03 00:16:45

Cool flower. Saw a bee open it up crawl in and come out a minute later. COOL.

Posted by: gail - mora, minnesota
on: 2009-09-05 13:33:09

We own 6 wooded and grassy areas on the Snake River, and I have noticed this little beauty in only 3 places on our property..I have sketched it many times, and taken pictures. Now I know what it is...lovely.

Posted by: John - Taylors Falls
on: 2009-09-06 22:37:12

This was growing out of a rock formation near the river.

Posted by: linda - Crow Wing County, Pelican Lake
on: 2009-09-07 08:51:26

MY husband and I started a wild flower garden about four years ago. We just spotted this beautiful flower today and quickly looked it up...we have two plants growing in partial shade....beautiful!!!

Posted by: Donna - Chengwatana state forest area
on: 2009-09-08 21:59:02

Only along a small area of the snowmobile trail- high up from the river in a grassy ditch area.

Posted by: Marcia - Pokegama Lake island, Itasca C
on: 2009-09-14 18:53:58

One of our guests at our cabin picked this flower while out on our boat visiting one of the islands on Pokegama Lake. I'd never seen this flower before. My husband was waiting for the blooms to "open", but they never did. After reading about the flower we now know the buds don't open. Awesome flower!

Posted by: Bert - southern Todd county
on: 2010-08-25 17:20:12

I found this flower today 8-25-10, on the edge of a swamp,where willows also grow. I picked a couple and brought them home, my wife thought they were really pretty and was excited to identify them on this website. We live in southern Todd County.

Posted by: Joel - Wild River State Park
on: 2010-08-26 16:03:59

We saw these today on our walk out from the Visitor's Center to St. Croix. Not a difficult walk for the average bear. Both a pale sky blue and an all white flower cluster were present. Perhaps twenty plus plants in all along fifty yards of trail. This was an exceptionally wet August, that might have something to do with the flowers, I had not seen them before.

Posted by: Rita - Itasca State Park
on: 2010-08-26 21:38:39

Laura W. was hiking when she noticed this flower near the path. She met me at Preacher's Grove and I asked her to use my camera to "capture" the Blue Bottle Gentian on her walk back to Douglas Lodge. I'm glad to have the photo, and happy to get information from this website. I Love Flowers!! Thank You.

Posted by: Susan - Douglas, MN
on: 2010-09-05 20:19:25

Tonight we found three different colors of bottle gentian growing in our prairie--cream. blue and white with pink edges. Last year we only found a few plants of creamy gentian. This year there must be a least thirty plants. Maybe burning the prairie last spring encouraged them.

Posted by: pam - Cass Co on the Crow Wing River
on: 2010-09-06 19:06:02

I own 4.5 acres on the Crow Wing River between Staples and Motley. I have a large colony of these blue flowers along the river growing in the shade of birch and pine. The seem to be more prolific after a spring of flooding.

Posted by: Heather - Minnetonka, Purgatory Park
on: 2010-09-09 15:57:15

There are a few of these growing along the creek wetland.

Posted by: Bill - Pennington County
on: 2010-09-13 12:52:32

I have found this flower blooming along the roadside at the edge of the woods in NW Pennington country Minnesota

Posted by: Nancy - Becker County, Tamarac Nat'l Wildlife Refuge
on: 2010-09-17 18:15:33

It was a real treat to discover this unique gem last September while strolling through the open prairie looking for Monarch larvae! I was able to take some great photos.

Posted by: Paul - Clearwater, MN, Mississippi River bank
on: 2010-09-22 07:54:46

I found a number of these plants while fishing south of Clear water, MN. They were on a very steep south shore bank. The stems were almost woody in appearance and were curled perhaps due to the weight of the bloom clusters. Color was pale purple with darker purple stripes on the in side of the pedals. A very neat flower.

Posted by: Cindy - brainerd, MN
on: 2011-09-02 19:46:06

I saw these flowers while walking along the Mississippi River in Crow Wing County in Brainerd, MN. There were very few plants seen and I wondered what kind of plant it was. The color is beautiful.

Posted by: Jennifer - Big Sandy Lake, MN
on: 2011-09-04 17:20:19

My mother-in-law was pulling her paddle boat ashore when she saw this beautiful flower. I took a picture of it and thought I'd try to identify it... I'm so glad I learned what it was! Nature never fails to stun, and this beautiful flower is proof!

Posted by: Cathy - Wild River State Park on the St. Croix
on: 2011-09-04 23:07:40

I took pictures of this flower which appears to be in the purple color and white. They are in bloom right now and I've not noticed them before on the river. they were very striking and beautiful

Posted by: chad - todd county-Browerville
on: 2011-09-05 08:37:44

Found many of these growing along Eagle Creek north of Browerville. Took pictures and identified them using this site.

Posted by: Bert - Todd County, Grey Eagle, Mn.
on: 2011-09-12 20:09:11

First found these flowers, in 2010 on August 25. I've been watching for them this summer and saw no signs of them till today Sept. 12,2011. It's exciting to find them again.

Posted by: Carol - Eden Prairie
on: 2011-09-16 15:22:28

Photographed this flower today on a walk along Purgatory Creek.

Posted by: luanne - William O'Brien State Park
on: 2011-09-26 09:46:09

Came upon both blue and white bottle gentian yesterday (Sept 25th)walking along the river trail in William Obrien State Park. Had never seen them in my 4 decades of walking around in Minnesota. AMAZING!!

Posted by: Steve - Quarry Park, Stearns County
on: 2011-10-01 17:15:46

I saw three blue bottle gentian plants yesterday (2011-09-30)on a walk through Quarry Park,which is on the west side of St. Cloud. I had never seen one before but was able to identify them due to their distinctive flower and leaf patters.

Posted by: Ronald - Freeborn Co., Freeborn township, Sec.# 2
on: 2011-11-13 15:45:18

We have this plant on our property, very good Fall for this plant. 2011.

Posted by: Neil - Otter Tail Co. near Leaf Lake
on: 2012-08-22 20:53:50

Discovered this plant on lowland acreage which until about eight years ago, was "Holstein pasture." Interesting to see the land revert to species that may have been growing there when my grandfather purchased the property in the early 1900's. Thanks to Ron H. for helping to identify this beautiful and exciting native plant.

Posted by: Catherine - East rabbit lake- Cuyauga
on: 2012-08-24 18:23:50

Wefound these beautiful flowers on the lot next to us. They are morepurple then blue.

Posted by: Julie - Crow Wing State Park, Along the Mississippi River
on: 2012-08-28 09:41:01

Saw (and photographed) the blue bottle gentian on a visit to Crow Wing State Park on 8/14/2012. Gorgeous! I hadn't seen one for more than 20 years, the last sighting being on Lake Alexander in Morrison County.

Posted by: Jane - Crosslake
on: 2012-09-03 09:24:53

We saw these on the shore of Cross near the Wharf Restaurant and again on Sand Island on Cross Lake, Crow Wing County. Sept 1, 2012..never noticed before in 60 years...

Posted by: Patty - Birchwood
on: 2012-09-13 05:42:43

I just saw these beautiful plants for the first time last weekend on a walk with my neighbor. She told me that they had been planted as part of an Eagle Scout project. Go Boy Scouts!

Posted by: Ellen - Woodside Tnsp, Otter Tail Co.
on: 2013-08-15 09:08:49

Finally! I know what this flower is. I happened across it on our 60acre hobby farm in a low damp spot just inside the edge of a wooded area.

Posted by: DALE - Blaine
on: 2013-08-19 10:26:12

Saw a number of these yesterday, 8/18/2013 in Blaine Preserve SNA. In very nice shape so they must be pretty new.

Posted by: David - Douglas county
on: 2013-09-06 18:24:22

I have this variety in my hosta bed on the bank going down to the lake.

Posted by: Brett - Otsego
on: 2013-09-07 11:27:38

Saw quite a few blooming on the east side of St.Croix State Park. While taking a picture of one, a small bumble bee just muscled its way totally inside the flower and disappeared. Could not get a quality shot of it emerging though :(

Posted by: Pam - Clearwater
on: 2013-09-12 10:35:54

I had never seen Bottle Gentian before, but now I have seen it twice in the last week, in two different places! First along the trail between Bear Paw campground and Douglas Lodge at Itasca state park. Secondly at Sibley state park along the interpretive trail by the Interpretive Center. Beautiful plant...stunning flowers. In both cases the flowers were very blue. I too wondered when it would open or if it only opened certain times of the day or under certain conditions. Now I know...it doesn't open at all. Looking through your wildflower site I have often wished I would run across it. So happy I did! Thanks for helping me to identify it.

Posted by: Kelly - International Falls
on: 2013-09-15 15:20:55

Just found these beautiful flowers on our property by our shoreline. I have pictures if you would like to see them. Awesome!!

Posted by: Colette - Sartell
on: 2013-09-18 20:25:08

I discovered this beautiful flower while walking through a 40-acre wooded parcel of our farmland. It had a cluster of 3 purple "bottles". I'm glad I discovered your website! Thanks.

Posted by: Steve - Quamba
on: 2013-10-12 11:38:37

I saw & photographed this plant in Kanabec county this September. It has the Beautiful Blue petals. I was suprized by how many weeks I returned to find it still brightening up the forest floor. I see on your Disribution Map, Kanabec county is not shaded. I'd be happy to help you verify the location. Thanks for your website!

Posted by: Starr - the Renville area
on: 2014-07-12 14:42:05

This grew in the ditches at my old farm. It was located along Cty Rd 6 and the Minnesota River's junction. Breath-taking beauty.

Posted by: Joe - Hastings
on: 2014-08-21 16:01:35

Its at Hastings Sand Coulee SNA, too.

Posted by: Mimi - Currie, MN - Murray Co.
on: 2014-09-05 16:57:04

We first saw this lovely flower in 2012 in our CREP land. Didn't see it last year but now we found it again this year. We are thrilled to find it again!!

Posted by: Stan - Mille Lacs Cty
on: 2014-09-06 12:28:50

There are many hundreds of these growing in our horse pasture. The petals make a beautiful blue dye for wool. We would not harvest but there is no danger of over harvesting with so many. Our field seems to be the perfect habitat.

Posted by: S.Rahkola - SE MN, near Ostrander, MN
on: 2014-09-10 15:58:43

I saw this beautiful flower for the first time today in a state wildlife management area! It is gorgeous. Thank you for your site which helped me identify it.

Posted by: Fred - William O'Brien State Park
on: 2014-09-30 16:05:45

Saw both the light blue and white versions of this interesting flower near the river. Around Sept 15, 2014.

Posted by: Allison - Bay Lake, Crow Wing County
on: 2015-06-25 12:27:31

We have had this growing right on the shoreline, on the edge of beautiful Bay Lake, for many years. It is a beautiful plant.

Posted by: Jon - Murray County
on: 2015-08-17 15:54:49

I am the County Ag Inspector for Murray County and i can think of two locations where this is in Murray County.

Posted by: Chris - Murphy Hanrehan Park, Lakeville, MN
on: 2015-08-21 16:01:25

Both white and blue varieties seen today (8/21/15) near trail sign 26 in Murphy Hanrehan.

Posted by: Amy - Isanti
on: 2015-08-23 22:26:21

I found the blue as I was walking the dogs today 8/23/2015. I have some great pictures. Such a wonderful surprise! Simply lovely! Southern Isanti county.

Posted by: Zeb - Clay County
on: 2015-08-24 11:22:46

Fairly common in the Shrike Unit of Felton Prairie SNA.

Posted by: Steve - Mille lacs county
on: 2015-08-24 18:42:29

Saw bottle gentian blue in open field 8/24/15 Mille lacs cty

Posted by: John - Southern Manitoba, near Neepawa
on: 2015-08-26 12:29:37

Looks to me like a wildflower / weed in a ditch that I found and photographed in early August. We kept it in a vase for 3 weeks now. The buds turned blue/white but have never opened. JD

Posted by: Chris - Lino Lakes
on: 2015-08-26 19:38:00

I found them on a walk Mon 8/24/15 bright yet dark purple. Today they are lighter purple 8/26/15. I thought they would be opened today (not knowing what they were!). Great discovery!

Posted by: Nancy - Hubbard county
on: 2015-08-29 16:16:53

I first noticed 2 or 3 of these in a shady spot on my yard in Hubbard county about 3 years ago. Today I counted 19 of them, scattered all over my 1 acre lot. They must spread vary easily. Also, unlike the previous owners, we do not mow a large portion of the yard, which is where they all have been found. Or does it take a long time before the plan is mature enough to produce flowers?

Posted by: Ellen - Otter Tail County
on: 2016-03-24 17:01:19

We have these blue Gentian flowers growing in our pasture in a low spot on the edge of the woods. They've been there for 5 years that I know of. Woodside Township, Otter Tail Co. I was so happy to find out they are perennial. I try to spread the seeds for more!

Posted by: dallas - hubbard county
on: 2016-08-08 15:31:58

north shore of williams lake, also have seen them on fordyce drive just west of island lake neer creek coming out of spring lake

Posted by: Lauretta - Pennington County
on: 2016-08-31 16:59:43

I've lived 70 years in northern Minnesota. This summer is the first time I noticed this species of wildflower. I was riding trails in our woods on ATV with 2 year old granddaughter. We marked the spot and for several days kept going back to the flower waiting to see it open up. Today I realized it doesn't "open up". Saw both purple and white ones.

Posted by: jane - Freeborn County
on: 2016-09-01 15:57:46

I have seen a Blue one of these Gentian plants in the ditch on our road. I live 1/2 mile from the Iowa border.

Posted by: Nancy - Otter Tail County
on: 2016-09-03 12:53:28

We saw these lovely flowers yesterday along Highway 78, east of Ottertail Lake and near Pelican Bay. We had never seen them before. Many thanks for this site, which allowed us to identify them!

Posted by: Royall - Angora, St. Louis County
on: 2016-09-04 23:23:24

First noticed this a couple of these Bottle Gentian in a grassy field in Sturgeon Township Angora MN four years ago. Each year I see that they have multiplied, and now find quite a few in the field.

Posted by: Patrice - Grand Rapids, MN
on: 2016-09-07 13:01:43

Yes, we have some of these in out lowlands along Pokegama Lake! Thank you for helping me identify this beautiful flower!

Posted by: McLain - Carlton County
on: 2016-09-07 14:11:18

I found two plants growing by the roadside in a semi-boggy area. Wasn't quite sure what they were until I researched them. A pretty fall plant. I will definitely follow them from now on.

Posted by: Barry - Marine on St. Coix
on: 2016-09-13 18:19:13

Found a patch of Bottle Gentian along the St. Croix River in William O'Brien State Park.

Posted by: Carolyn r - Richville, mn
on: 2017-07-22 19:10:07

My sister an i found the gentain in horse pasture an ditch along wet area. We posted signs in the ditch to not mow or spray. Our dead lake township board voted against the posting an now plan to dig up the ditch an spray. Located 380th ave by dead lake. Our only recourse is to move them.

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2017-07-22 19:22:30

Carolyn, your only recourse is to rescue them!

Posted by: Lou B - Markee Lake, Nisswa
on: 2017-08-19 11:38:34

Found these beautiful and elegant purple flowers on the shore which I didn't see last summer. They were too pretty not to bring indoors so I picked a few stems but left enough on the shore. Interesting to know the bees pry open the petals! Hope these Bottle Gentian multiply! I love this website. Will bookmark it! Thank you!

Posted by: Anna N - Foley, Duels and Ronneby
on: 2017-08-26 01:55:26

Found several groupings earlier today along rural roadsides near gravel abundant areas

Posted by: Candis S - The NC Bluestem Prairie/BRSP Complex near Glyndon, MN
on: 2017-08-27 08:13:55

Searching for, and always finding,three members of the Gentian family (Bottle,Downy,and Fringed)on this prairie complex has been for many years an annual event. Yesterday, a cool and misty morning,was the first time I had the good luck to watch a Bumblebee pollinate a Bottle Gentian; prying open those petals was no easy task!I took numerous photos and managed to get a video of the bee emerging from the flower. Great experience.

Posted by: Kenny h - East of rose creek on shooting star trail
on: 2017-09-06 12:15:07

Nice group of 6 andrewsii's...they seem to be a deeper than normal blue...beautiful sight.

Posted by: Joy S - Grand Rapids
on: 2017-09-06 19:18:17

In ditch, was found while my husband was walking our dog

Posted by: Phyllis - Roosevelt-Norris Forest Road near Roosevelt MN
on: 2017-09-17 23:02:51

They were growing on the roadsides along with the fringed gentians. They were in bloom on Saturday, August 26, 2017. Beautiful!

Posted by: terry - Saint Paul
on: 2017-09-27 17:05:08

Have it alone side my house in partial shade. Had to prop it as it was laying on the ground. Probably need to protect it from all the rabbits in the area.

Posted by: Andy J - Sauk Rapids Bob Cross Park
on: 2017-09-27 18:40:54

This flower was a first for me and I was intrigued by it walking around Bob Cross Park during a site survey of plants for a releve with my Environmental Wetland class at SCCSU. I saw it again the following week out at Rockville County Park and Nature Reserve. Both were purple in color.

Posted by: PJ Como - Clay County
on: 2018-05-19 18:55:13

They are seen in our lower less disturbed wet lands, very much off the beaten path in Clay County

Posted by: Crista S - North Mankato
on: 2018-08-19 17:57:35

Found white ones in North Mankato today. Now I am curious where I can get some for my yard.

Posted by: Karen Knudson Ibberson - Fillmore County
on: 2018-08-21 19:19:20

A patch of over a hundred plants on private property on hilly, grassy CRP land. Beautiful!!

Posted by: Mary Jo - Kittson County
on: 2018-08-22 20:26:42

Just discovered these beauties in Cannon Township. I feared the wild flower season had ended so really enjoyed the find in such a dry year.

Posted by: Jennie - Aitkin
on: 2018-08-30 16:22:32

We have quite a few of these beauties on woods edges next to swampy land. Also was surprised to find one lone plant in our horse pasture when I was mowing, so I mowed around it.

Posted by: Karen Updegraff - state snowmobile trail; SWNE of 19-57-08w
on: 2018-08-31 08:36:23

Setting is a moist trail with patchy Scirpus cyperinus, various goldenrods & asters (and tansy); surrounding hardwood stands. According to your map this has not been previously reported in Lake County. I did not take a photo but am fairly confident of the ID.

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2018-08-31 15:09:15

Karen, the best way to get county distribution map updates is to submit a specimen to the Bell Herbarium. Then is becomes part of the official record and we get those updates in time.

Posted by: Susan - Hubbard County, Lake Hattie Township
on: 2018-08-31 19:23:51

I had never seen these before until this week. There are 10 of them in a field here where we have lots of wildflowers.

Posted by: Ken Hovet - Hartford Township, Todd County
on: 2018-09-06 13:34:20

I saw many of these plants along a township road. We are going to do construction on this road this fall and so will remove and try to transplant some of these to my yard. Any suggestions for moving them? Thanks, Ken

Posted by: Jean Evens - International Falls
on: 2018-09-10 12:53:40

I have seen the light blue Closed Gentian on a trail near my home by the mouth of the Littlefork River by Pelland Junction. Really was a discovery for me. Had never seen one before.

Posted by: Patty Veach - Spring Grove - Southeastern MN
on: 2018-09-17 00:25:45

We saw the white and the blue while hiking near Spring Grove.

Posted by: Catherine Price - Chisago County
on: 2018-10-22 15:04:37

My friend has a field that is brimming with these flowers. They are absolutely beautiful to look at, and look really happy in her fields, and near the stream. Never seen anything like this before, and hope that I might be able to grow them in my woodland area, which is also a little moist.

Posted by: Kim Cain - Milaca (Paige township)
on: 2019-05-29 02:34:17

In and along our ditch on the North end of property, County Road 11, aka 190th Street. A rare find...

Posted by: Kathy and Douglas Wood - Stearns County Brockway township along Mississippi
on: 2019-07-10 05:57:50

We have had these growing on our property for decades. We live in a 100+ year old woods along the Mississippi.

Posted by: Julie Campbell - Hinckley
on: 2019-08-30 10:44:27

I moved to the Hinckly area 3 years ago and have a beautiful piece of property. I have always loved MN wildflowers and have found so many new to me here. I just found a Bottle Gentian and am very excited about it. I found it growing very close to Crooked Creek on the bank. Growing up my family would visit the Arboratum and I may have seen it there but don't remember.

Posted by: Monique Milton - Chisago County - Sunrise Township
on: 2019-09-03 23:20:44

This is the first time I've seen the bottle gentian wild flower...it was a very vibrant blue. Just beautiful!!

Posted by: Darrick Wotachek - Becklin County Park Isanti County
on: 2019-09-04 11:23:58

Found blue flowered ones near boat landing by turn around and near a geocache. Several people Plants at each spot.

Posted by: Lonna - Whitewater State Park
on: 2019-09-09 07:20:45

I saw a couple that looked like this flower. They were light blue in color. I'm wondering if it was something different though as I saw them in the upper prairie and not near water. There was a bumblebee crawling into it.

Posted by: Susan Premo - Pine County Kettle river
on: 2019-09-12 13:05:59

I am wondering, did they change the name from or to closed gentian? The only place I was lucky enough to see it, was this Sept. at Banning St. Park, along the Kettle river, finally!

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2019-09-12 14:10:00

Susan, there is no standardization on common names. Call it whatever you like.

Posted by: Mattson - Barnum Mn Carlton County
on: 2019-09-14 09:30:56

Seen these for the first time along the Sioux line trail, Carlton County. Had to find out what they were. Love ❤️ them. I think it's thinking about growing them in my flower beds.

Posted by: Tessa - Woman Lake area-Cass County
on: 2019-09-14 14:05:38

This is the first year I have seen them growing along my lake shore.

Posted by: Kathy and Douglas Wood
on: 2019-09-15 15:19:33

We have them growing along our shore of the Mississippi north of Sartell, MN. I also have about 30 plants that have transplanted themselves into a wildflower garden in our yard. They are so pretty!

Posted by: Lisa Filter - Jay Cooke State Park
on: 2019-09-16 15:42:37

Spotted this plant growing near the river at Jay Cooke State Park, fairly close to the swinging bridge.

Posted by: Bonnie - Ottertail County
on: 2019-09-19 20:45:19

Saw this blooming in a ditch in Ottertail County near Bluffton.

Posted by: Jon S - Found along the railroad tracks near royalton
on: 2020-02-08 19:14:11

Took awhile to find the name there purple can they be transplanted?

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2020-02-08 20:02:21

Jon, please do not dig plants out of the wild. There are many vendors that sell native seeds and plants. Try one of them.

Posted by: Marion Mann - Grand Rapids, Itasca County
on: 2020-08-18 21:13:21

Growing along lakeshore on east side of Prairie Lake.

Posted by: Hv Hughes - Marshall and Polk County
on: 2020-08-21 14:31:39

In the past week, I counted more than 2 dozen plants in bloom in ditches in Marshall and Polk Counties. Most were blue, several white. Wow!

Posted by: Lynn Mizner - North central Aitkin County T45 R26 S30
on: 2020-08-23 16:37:23

Blue Gentian -- half a dozen plants flowering Aug. 23, 2020. On tbe edge between woods and open land.

Posted by: John - Actually in Southern Manitoba
on: 2020-08-30 11:49:16

Have seen them around here for about 5 years now, have a few blue and a pink one on my property. Beautiful...

Posted by: Diane - Cowling Arboretum 8-2019 - Northfield MN
on: 2020-08-30 21:01:33

Cowling Arboretum Purple & White August 2019

Posted by: Zeb - Glyndon
on: 2020-08-31 11:41:12

Clay County highway department mows these down in the ditches every year around this time. Can anything be done about this?

Posted by: Paulette H - Washington county
on: 2020-09-01 15:12:29

Purple ones. Found some growing along the edge of our pasture next to wooded area... don’t recall ever seeing them b/4.

Posted by: kevin - albany, mn
on: 2020-09-02 07:49:50

I saw several of these flowers along the Wobegon trail by Albany in Stearns County,

Posted by: Carol Habiger - Benton County
on: 2020-09-02 19:57:48

Found these on our land while walking our trails. Near Gilman.

Posted by: Ron Johannsen - Trenton Lake
on: 2020-09-11 16:38:08

Good year for bottle gentian, viewed numerous bumble bees crawling in and out of flowers. Nice.

Posted by: bob knapp - grand rapids
on: 2021-08-12 07:55:13

I would like to propagate more of this plant. I only have one and it is beautiful. I have never seen any seeds, what do they look like and how big are they? I only notice very tiny powder like substance in the fall from the flowers. I would appreciate knowing how to propagate more of them. Thank you for your kind response. Bob Knapp

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2021-08-12 10:22:36

Bob, if you see just dust coming out of the capsules, that probably means insects have devoured the seeds. That's not necessarily a bad thing, since that really is the purpose of the plants in the first place. If you are unable to collect seed from your own plant, consider buying seed or more plants from the native plant nurseries that serve Minnesota.

Posted by: Terry B - Grant County near Pomme De Terre Lake
on: 2021-08-27 19:01:12

I look for these each year in late fall. Found a few blue Gentian between the county road and a large pond, others in the wetter ditches. I'd love to see the other color variations - white, pink and purple.

Posted by: Vikki - Washington County - Marine on St. Croix
on: 2021-08-29 21:48:15

Found five white Gentians on the edge of our pasture next to a tree line. Have never seen them before--really beautiful! And glad the bumble bees like them!

Posted by: Pam - Central Lakes Bike Trail east of Fergus Falls
on: 2021-09-04 21:41:36

We saw many of the purple bottle gentian along the bike path. Fun to see so many. We used to hunt at Glendalough SP, but lately deer have been beating us to the one or two plants.

Posted by: Daniel Engblom - Princeton
on: 2021-09-06 07:12:28

Blooms on my sherburne co. Property every year, though much less than 30 years ago.

Posted by: Michelle - North branch
on: 2021-09-16 18:26:34

I have them all over

Posted by: Billy Head - Chengwatana Forest near Pine City
on: 2022-08-29 06:23:22

Just 2 plants with flowers at a forest opening, August 29,2022

Posted by: Jessica - Grasston
on: 2022-08-31 21:00:37

Spotted two plants on our property and they have purple flower pods. We have lived here for three years and this is the first time I have seen them. We have received a lot of rainfall this year.

Posted by: Robert Richard - Otter tail Co near East side of Moore lake
on: 2022-09-21 17:41:14

We have hobby farm ,lived here 18 years just noticed the bottle gentian flowering and setting seed mid Sept 2022. I will follow this plant next year 6 flowers this year. Growing in sandy soil near a cattail wetland.

Posted by: Peter Jongewaard - Eastern St Louis County
on: 2023-08-29 22:13:37

Saw several blue clumps along the Duluth & Northeastern RR grade, about 5 miles southwest of Hornby, August 29th, 2023.

Posted by: Thomas Oots - South of Wild Indigo SNA & North of 245st NE of Austin, MN
on: 2023-09-25 15:00:46

On Permanent CRP ground West of 555th Ave. Part of Wetland restoration/development. First observation of single plant was in same Wolf Creek watershed, but 1/2 mile East. That was over 40 years ago. This observation was group of 5 in center of field. Not skilled enough to identify from two varieties.

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