Species: Gentiana fremontii Torr.

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Gentiana fremontii Torr.

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TAXONOMY

Family:

Gentianaceae

Genus:

Gentiana

Species Synonyms:

Gentiana aquatica auct. non L.
Chondrophylla aquatica auct. non (L.) W.A. Weber
Chondrophylla fremontii (Torr.) A. Nels.
Ciminalis fremontii (Torr.) W.A. Weber

Common Names:

moss gentian

DISTRIBUTION

Canada:

western Alberta, west-central – southwestern Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan:

southwestern Saskatchewan

Ecoregion:

Mixed Grassland, Moist Mixed Grassland

HABITAT

Saskatchewan:

calcareous and saline soil in springy meadow depressions

Associated species:

Eleocharis quinqueflora, Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Primula incana, Viola nephrophylla

RARITY STATUS

Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):

Threatened

Nature Conservancy Status:

G4 S2

Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:

None

COSEWIC Status:

None

Gentiana fremontii is threatened because it is rare or uncommon and is regionally restricted in Saskatchewan. Most local populations are small and possible threats have been identified.

SPECIES DESCRIPTION

Height:

1 – 10 cm tall

Roots:

fibrous

Stem:

annual, few to many, prostrate to erect ascending, branched from the base

Leaves:

basal rosette, blades orbicular to ovate; cauline leaves numerous, 3 – 5 mm long, oblong to lanceolate, appressed, scarcely recurving, glaucous, white-margined

Inflorescence:

flowers terminal, solitary

Flowers:

4- to 5-merous; calyx to 8 mm long, slender; corolla to 10 mm long, light greenish-purple or whitish; ovary stalk very short

Fruits:

capsule subsessile, included in corolla; seeds wingless

GENTIANACEAE KEY FOR GENERA FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN

1 Corolla spurred; flowers purplish or yellowish-green	Halenia
1 Corolla not spurred; flowers purplish, bluish or whitish	2

2 Corolla rotate	Lomatogonium
2 Corolla salverform, tubular, or campanulate	3

3 Corolla lobes fringed; flowers 4-merous	Gentianopsis
3 Corolla lobes not fringed; flowers usually 5-merous

4 Corolla lobes firm, erect to spreading ascending, entire; plaits present in corolla sinuses; flowers sessile or very short-pedicellate; nectary at base of ovary	Gentiana
4 Corolla lobes spreading, shallowly to deeply fringed, lacking plaits in corolla sinuses; flowers distinctly pedicellate; nectary at base of corolla tube, alternate with stamens	Gentianopsis

GENTIANA KEY FOR SPECIES FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN

1 Annuals, < 10 cm tall, stem branched from base, may be prostrate; flowers < 2 cm long; seeds wingless	G. fremontii
1 Perennials, > 10 cm tall, stems simple; flowers usually at least 3 cm long; seeds usually winged	2

2 Corolla closed; anthers connivent; seeds covering inner walls of capsule	G. andrewsii var. dakotica
2 Corolla open; anthers free; seeds along region of sutures in capsule	3

3 Leaves in less than 13 pairs; corolla tube to 3 cm long, lobes equalling to slightly surpassing appendages	G. affinis
3 Leaves in up to 19 pairs; corolla to 4.5 cm long, lobes at least 2 x as long as appendages	G. puberulenta