Gentianopsis stricta - Erect Gentian

Erect Gentian is an erect annual or biennial herb, 20-43 cm long branched or unbranched. Stem is channeled, smooth. Basal leaves are in rosette, 0.75-4.5 x 0.3-0.8 cm, obovate-oblong, blunt-rounded, entire, margin curled, dying off at flowering, stem leaves 1.5-6.0 x 0.2-0.6 cm, linear-lanceshaped, blunt-pointed, entire, stalkless. Inflorescence solitary on long capitate or in leaf-axils flower-cluster-stalks, up to 6.0 cm long. Floral buds are ellipsoidal. Flowers are never exceeding 4.5 cm, 4-merous. Calyx distichously unequal, tube longer than sepals, two smaller lance shaped 0.75-2.0 x 0.2-0.5 cm, pointed-tapering, entire, each lobe slightly carinate from middle, the two longer lanceshaped lobes slightly longer than lance shaped lobes, 1-2.5 x 0.1-0.25 cm, lanceshaped, pointed, entire. Flowers are blue, funnel-shaped to bell-shaped, 2-4.5 cm, tube one third the length, petals oblong-obovate, blunt, marginal ciliae not many. Ovary is 0.4-0.8 x 0.1-0.3 cm, gynophore present, stigma prominent, nearly stalkless or style very small. Capsules are oval-oblong, seeds small, numerous, papillose. Erect Gentian is found in U.S.S.R., Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tibet, China, Himalayas, Nepal and Bhutan. Flowering: June-August.