Meadow Gentian

Left image
Closeup of purple Meadow Gentian flowers.

Right image
Cluster of tiny purple Meadow Gentian flowers.

Meadow Gentian - Gentianopsis detonsa 

The appearance of the blue flowers of Meadow Gentian in wet meadows heralds the end of summer and the beginning of fall. This is just one of five species of Gentians found at Cedar Breaks.

Though looking quite different, the tall Elkweed seen in moist meadows and along the rims is also a member of the Gentian Family. Like many Gentians, the flowers of Meadow Gentian are very sensitive to light; they don’t open until the sun is well up in the morning and close quickly when the day becomes cloudy. Meadow Gentian is a widely distributed species, occurring from Sagebrush communities at 5000 feet to Spruce-Fir communities above 10000 feet. It also circles the globe in northern latitudes and extends as far south as Mexico.