Gentiana autumnalis subsp. pennelliana, is a rare subspecies of flowering plant in the gentian family Gentianaceae. It is commonly known as wiregrass gentian and grows in sections of the Florida panhandle.
| Gentiana autumnalis subsp. pennelliana | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Gentianaceae |
| Genus: | Gentiana |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | G. a. subsp. pennelliana
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| Trinomial name | |
| Gentiana autumnalis subsp. pennelliana Fernald 1940
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| Synonyms | |
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List
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Taxonomy
editGentiana autumnalis subsp. pennelliana was first described as a separate species by Merritt Lyndon Fernald in 1940 and was named after American botanist Francis Whittier Pennell.[1]
Description
editGentiana autumnalis subsp. pennelliana is a perennial herb, which grows at approximately 20 cm (7.9 in) in height. The leaves are linear elliptic, 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) long and widely spaced along the stem. The distinctive white tubular flowers, which are sometimes fringed with purple, are solitary and terminal, with a 7 cm (2.8 in) long flare at the opening with five entire lobes, alternating with five shorter fringed membranes.
Distribution
editThis subspecies is endemic to parts of the Florida panhandle, where it occurs naturally in pine flatwoods, wet prairies and seepage slopes.[2][3] It is adapted to fires and flowers in November to December, prolifically when stimulated by fires.
References
edit- ^ "Flower Friday: Wiregrass gentian". December 6, 2019.
- ^ "Gentiana pennelliana - Species Details". Atlas of Florida Plants.
- ^ "Flower Friday: Wiregrass gentian" (PDF). Florida Wildflower Foundation. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
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