Gentianella occidentalis (A. Gray) Small

Locations ofGentianella occidentalis (A. Gray) Small in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Gentianaceae
Botanical Name
Gentianella occidentalis (A. Gray) Small
Common Name
Western Stiff Gentian
Synonym(s)
Gentianella quinquefolia (L.) Small ssp. occidentalis (Gray) Gillett; Gentianella quinquefolia (L.) Small var. occidentalis Gray
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Gentianella quinquefolia (L.) Small var. occidentalis Gray
Comments
Recently documented in Russell Co. (Ludwig), Pulaski Co. (Bentley), and Rockbridge Co. (Fleming, Ludwig, and Bradford). This species is generally larger than Gentianella quinquefolia in all respects, and has conspicuously long, lanceolate calyx lobes. Additionally, the corollas are cleft more deeply than in var. quinquefolia, giving the flowers a more open aspect. It is a calciphile of prairies, woodlands, and barrens, with a range centered west of the Appalachians. By contrast, G. quinquefolia is primarily Appalachian, and ascends to much higher elevations in both basic and acidic habitats.
Habitat
Limestone and dolostone woodlands and barrens. Rare, sw. mountains; known from only a few sites in Pulaski, Rockbridge, and Russell counties (Ridge and Valley province).
Native Status
Native

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