Ontario Wildflowers website

Smaller Fringed Gentian
Gentianopsis virgata
(formerly Gentiana procera)

Other common names: Lesser Fringed Gentian

Other scientific names: Gentiana procera

Family: Gentian Family (Gentianaceae)

Group: Gentians

Distinctive features: Narrow leaves. Wet areas, bogs. Tubular blue flowers with flared fringed lips.

Similar species:
  •   Greater Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis crinita) - leaves not narrow.


Flowers: Summer;  Blue/Violet;  4 parts (petals);  Blue. Four parts. Tubular, with flaring fringed lips. Often a single flower on each plant.

Leaves: Opposite, narrow.

Height: 15-50 cm (6-20 in)

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas, Wet Areas;  Open wetlands, bogs, calcareous meadows.

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 156    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 320    ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 276   

Native/Non-native: Native

Photographs: 170 photographs available, of which 11 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

The beautiful blue flower. Many plants will have only one.

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

A closer view.

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

Looking straight down into the flower.

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

Flower just starting to unfurl.

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

This photos shows the relative size of the flower.

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

These pretty blue flowers really stand out.

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

The narrow, opposite leaves. Although many plants have only a single flower at the top of the stem, many others will have additional flowers in the leaf axils down the stem.

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

And a flower bud. Some plants in the same area may be flowering while others are only in bud.

Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

This photo shows the size of the leaves and stem.


Range map for Smaller Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

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)