About Gentianopsis simplex (A.Gray) Iltis
Gentianopsis simplex (A.Gray) Iltis is a flowering plant species in the gentian family, commonly called oneflower fringed gentian. It is native to the western United States, and is most often found growing in moist mountain habitats. This plant is an annual herb with erect stems that can range from just a few centimeters up to 40 centimeters in height. Its leaves are lance-shaped to oval; most leaves grow at the base of the plant, and a few can occasionally grow along the stems. Each individual flower grows at the tip of a stalk that can be quite long. Mature flowers measure between one and four centimeters long, and range in color from light to deep bluish-purple, with white markings that are most prominent on the inside of the bloom. The flower has a generally trumpet-like shape that narrows toward the opening. The petal lobes have fringed edges, and can be arranged in a twisted or pinwheel pattern. The fruit produced by the plant is a capsule that holds seeds that are ridged and pointed.
