Lomatogonium rotatum (L.) Fries ex Fern.
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TAXONOMY
 
Family: Gentianaceae
Genus: Lomatogonium
 
Species Synonyms: Lomatogonium rotatum ssp. tenuifolium (Griseb.) Porsild
Pleurogyne rotata (L.) Griseb.
Common Names: marsh felwort
 
DISTRIBUTION
 
Canada: Yukon Territory – Mackenzie District – Victoria Island, Hudson Bay coast, Atlantic Coast (Labrador – Newfoundland – Nova Scotia), south-central Saskatchewan – west-central Manitoba
Saskatchewan: south to central Saskatchewan; Turtleford – Mortlach
Ecoregion: Mixed Grassland, Moist Mixed Grassland, Aspen Parkland, Boreal Transition, Mid-Boreal Upland
 
HABITAT
 
Saskatchewan: moist meadow depressions and marshy shores
Associated Species: Almutaster pauciflorus, Gentianopsis macounii, Juncus alpinoarcticus ssp. nodulosus, Parnassia palustris, Salix candida, Viola nephrophylla
 
RARITY STATUS
 
Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):
Vulnerable
Nature Conservancy Status:
G5 S2
Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:
None
COSEWIC Status:
None
 
Lomatogonium rotatum is vulnerable because it is rare or uncommon in Saskatchewan. It occurs in two or three general regions of the province, but with few localities. Local population sizes vary. No immediate threats are known for this species.
 
SPECIES DESCRIPTION
 
Height: 1 – 35 cm
Roots: fibrous
Stems: annual, slender, simple or branched above, branches strongly ascending
Leaves: basal oblanceolate or spatulate, soon withering; cauline leaves sessile, mostly linear or oblong, purplish green, glabrous
Inflorescence: heads terminal, occasionally also axillary at upper nodes, few-flowered
Flowers: 4- or 5-merous; calyx deeply cleft, lobes narrow and equalling corolla; corolla 10 – 12 mm long, rotate, each division with a pair of scale-like appendages near base; stamens inserted at base of corolla; style none; stigmas 2, on sides of ovary
Fruits: capsule cylindrical
 
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
 
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