Ontario Wildflowers website

Narrow-leaved Gentian
Gentiana linearis

Other common names: Narrowleaf Gentian

Family: Gentian Family (Gentianaceae)

Group: Gentians

Distinctive features: Typical closed gentian type of flower. Narrow leaves.

Flowers: Summer;  Blue/Violet;  4 parts (petals);  Blue. Closed.

Leaves: Opposite.

Height: 15-60 cm (6-24 in)

Habitat: Forests, Wet Areas;  Damp woods and wet meadows.

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 252    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 320   

Native/Non-native: Native

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: linearis: linear


Photographs: 15 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Narrow-leaved Gentian (Gentiana linearis)

The whole plant. I haven't yet found this plant in Ontario, although it does grow here. These photos are of specimens along the Eastmain River, off the James Bay Road in northern Quebec (see the James Bay Road website for more info about this region).

Narrow-leaved Gentian (Gentiana linearis)

The flowers. They never "open". Somehow insects know how to get in. The flowers are at the top of the stem.

Narrow-leaved Gentian (Gentiana linearis)

Top view of the flowers.

Narrow-leaved Gentian (Gentiana linearis)

Closeup of the flowers.

Narrow-leaved Gentian (Gentiana linearis)

Showing the narrow leaves, and their relative size.


Range map for Narrow-leaved Gentian (Gentiana linearis)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)