See blue Gentians.

Subalpine, alpine. Meadows, streamsides. Summer, fall.
Sharkstooth Trail, August 30, 2004.

Arctic Gentian is a late summer bloomer that can be abundant over large areas of alpine meadows. The flower is several inches tall, almost as tall as the entire plant. Flowers are creamy white to green white, with very strong streaks of purple on the outside and dots of purple on the inside. The plant is very easily overlooked.

The basal cluster of leaves is evident long before the flowers emerge.

"Gentianodes" is Greek for "similar to a Gentian".  "Algida" is from the Latin for "cold". 

This plant was first collected in Siberia and described in 1788.

Subalpine, alpine. Meadows, streamsides. Summer, fall.
Sharkstooth Trail, August 30, 2004.

Gentiana algida is always a treat to find. Get down to its level and inspect the variety of shapes and colors in the flower.

Subalpine, alpine. Meadows, streamsides. Summer, fall.
Sharkstooth Trail, August 30, 2004.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Gentiana algida