Gentiana puberulenta

One must see this plant in bloom to grasp its astonishing beauty. It is usually in full bloom as most other plants are drifting into dormancy in late summer/early fall. The flowers only open on warm, sunny days, and are always closed at night. It typically grows in dry to mesic prairie and savanna remnants with well-drained soils. This species is listed as Endangered in Michigan and is nearly extirpated. The seeds were sourced from northern Indiana.