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Catesby's Gentian Gentiana catesbaei

Phonetic Spelling
jen-shee-AN-uh KAYTS-bee-eye
Description

Coastal Plain Gentian is a native herbaceous perennial wildflower found in swampy areas from PA to Fl. In NC it is found in pocosins, moist longleaf pine savanna edges, edges of moist hardwood forests and bluff seepage mostly in the coastal plains.  The blue flowers grow in clusters and appear in fall, often causing the stems to fall over with their weight.

This plant prefers a constantly moist, organic-rich soil and part sun to partial shade. It will grow along bogs and ponds and attracts hummingbirds. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#native perennials#blue flowers#NC native#pollinator plant#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bee friendly#Audubon
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#native perennials#blue flowers#NC native#pollinator plant#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bee friendly#Audubon
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gentiana
    Species:
    catesbaei
    Family:
    Gentianaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used medicinally by Native Americans
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL , DE , FL , GA , MD , NC , NJ , PA , SC , VA
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant attracts hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Prostrate
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit displays from October to December.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are stemless in clusters of 1-6 flowers. The calyx is green in color, with lobes longer than the tube. The corolla is funnel-shaped and dark to light blue in color. Some flowers are almost white. The corolla lobes part only slightly to moderately at the apex. Blooms Sept. to Nov.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green leaves are opposite, sessile or short stems, elliptic to lanceolate, margins entire to finely toothed. 1-3 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are from 6-12 inches long, unbranched, hairy, often declining.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil