Whitish Gentian Gentiana algida Gentian family (Gentianaceae)
This denizen of the region's zone is found across the far northern as well. Arctic Gentian can be abundant over large areas of moist . The flower is almost as tall as the entire plant. Gentians are named after King Gentius of ancient Illyria, who is said to have discovered the medicinal value of these plants to help cure intestinal maladies. This plant's favored climate is reflected in its name: "algida" is Latin for "cold."
Tufted , 2-8" tall, with 1 or more stems with noticeable flower clusters. up to 5" long and . Stem leaves smaller, , with bases joined. Flowers are relatively large (1.5-2" tall), white to green-white petals with 5 pointed with pleats in between into a funnel. Flowers are streaked and blotched with purple on the outside and purple dots on inside.
meadow -- Large grass and wildflower filled area with few, if any, trees.
fused means joined together.
linear -- Long and very narrow like a blade of grass.
lobe -- A rounded parts of a leaf (or other organ).
tundra -- Land above tree line characterized by a short growing season, intense sun
and wind, thin soils, very high snow fall and high rain fall. Contains low
growing sedges, grasses, dwarf shrubs and herbs.
In an opposite leaf arrangement the leaves come in pairs
with one leaf on each side of a stem.
basal leaves -- a leaf that grows lowest on the stem of a plant.
alpine -- above the tree line. Thin soil, rocks, short growing season, frost, winter snow.
lanceolate -- Lance-shaped. Long, wider in the middle.
A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.
