# Mountain Bog Gentian (*Gentiana calycosa*) Mountain Bog Gentian is a beautiful blue flower that grows in wet, cool places. It has star-shaped petals and loves to bloom in the summer, making it a special sight in nature. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Mountain Bog Gentian](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gentiana-calycosa1web.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gentiana-calycosa1web.jpg) ## Appearance The Mountain Bog Gentian has stunning deep blue to purple, bell-shaped flowers that often grow singly or in small clusters. Its sturdy green stems reach upwards from lance-shaped leaves. The intense color helps it stand out amongst the green and browns of its wetland home. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Gentianales - **Family:** Gentianaceae - **Genus:** Gentiana ## Interesting facts - Its deep blue petals are often fused, creating a unique cup-like shape! - Mountain Bog Gentian is sometimes called 'King of the Mountains' for its beauty! - Some gentian flowers hide tiny drops of sweet nectar deep inside their bell shape! - This tough flower can bloom late in summer, even when cold weather is near. ## Special abilities - **Bitter Defense:** Mountain Bog Gentian has special compounds that make it taste bitter, helping to deter hungry animals from eating its leaves. - **High-Altitude Adaptor:** Mountain Bog Gentian can thrive in chilly mountain bogs, using its tough roots to anchor itself in soggy, nutrient-poor soils. - **Pollinator Beacon:** Mountain Bog Gentian's vibrant blue flowers act like a bright signal, guiding important long-tongued insects to its nectar. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-60 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 3-5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer to fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Black-tailed Bumblebee (*Bombus melanopygus*) — Visits flowers for nectar, aiding reproduction. - **Eaten by:** [Bighorn Sheep](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bighorn-sheep) (*Ovis canadensis*) — Browses on its leaves and flowers as part of its diet. - **Eaten by:** [Hoary Marmot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hoary-marmot) (*Marmota caligata*) — These mountain rodents occasionally nibble on the gentian plant. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't pick flowers, so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mountain Bog Gentian? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Mountain Bog Gentian? 10-60 cm ### How wide does Mountain Bog Gentian spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on Mountain Bog Gentian? 3-5 cm ### When does Mountain Bog Gentian bloom? Summer to fall ### Is Mountain Bog Gentian edible? No ### Is Mountain Bog Gentian toxic? Mild ### What is Mountain Bog Gentian's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Mineral King](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mineral-king) — California, US · Historic District - [Paradise Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/paradise-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Sunrise Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sunrise-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Yakima Park Stockade Group](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/yakima-park-stockade-group) — Washington, US · Historic District - [Lake Chelan National Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-chelan-national-recreation-area) — Washington, US · National Park - [Akamina-Kishinena Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/akamina-kishinena-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Mountain Bog Gentian](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/mountain-bog-gentian) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Mountain Bog Gentian: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mountain-bog-gentian)