Photo by: Rick Cantrell, Magnolia Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Rick Cantrell, Magnolia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

soapwort gentian

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Gentiana saponaria

Family:

Gentianaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

1-2 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

blue,purple

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Garden flower for wet sites. Blooms in late summer-early fall.

Considerations:

Availability:

Friends

Propagation:

Typically transplanted (don't harvest from the wild!). Difficult to grow from seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Bumblebees are an important pollinator for this species.  Small beetles feed on the pollen.

Native Habitats:

Moist woods, stream banks, moist roadsides.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

The range of this plant barely makes it into Florida and only 2 locations have been documented.  It is not rare in states to the north.