Gentiana
affinis var. bigelovii
Gentiana bigelovii
Pneumonanthe bigelovii (Pleated Gentian or Bottle Gentian)
Family:
Gentianaceae (Gentian)
Gentiana affinis
var. bigelovii is one of the latest flowers to bloom in the foothills.
Flowers are light blue and remains closed except for a small opening near the
tip. Petals are pleated, with ridges along the backside. Leaves are broadly linear
and opposite.
At higher elevations, plants have darker flowers and broader leaves. Weber separates
these plants into a separate species: Pneumonanthe affinis (not pictured).