Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

The herbaceous perennial plant Gentiana calycosa is a species of gentian known by the common name Rainier pleated gentian. It is native to the mid-elevation mountains of the western United States and Canada from the Sierra Nevada of California to the Canadian Cascades. The flower is a funnel-shaped cup opening into a five-petaled face 3 to 5 centimeters wide, in shades of deep blue to purple. The plant has hardy, thick green leaves on the thin red stems from which the flowers are borne. Like other gentians, G. calycosa is an attractive mountain wildflower good for use in alpine gardens.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

7 in Tall

Form

Mounding

Growth rate

Fast

Calscape icon
Color

Blue, Purple

Flowering season

Summer

Sun

Deep Shade, Partial Shade

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: 4 mos. stratification.

Sunset Zones

1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17

Site type

Wet meadows, slopes

Plant communities

Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

0 confirmed and 2 likely

Confirmed Likely

Sierra Sulphur

Colias behrii