Stiff Gentian or Agueweed
Gentiana quinquefolia
From Missouri Plants
Stems - To 60cm tall, erect, herbaceous, from a taproot, branching, glabrous, winged (the wings to 1mm broad). Lateral branches ascending.
Leaves - Opposite, sessile, entire, ovate, mostly rounded at the apex, with evident parallel venation, to 4cm long, +2cm broad. Leaves reduced to bracts in inflorescence.
Flowers - Corolla tubular, 5-lobed, bluish-purple, glabrous internally and externally, to 2.3cm long. Lobes triangular, acute, 5-8mm long, typically closing the apex of the flower. Stamens 5, alternating with the corolla lobes. Calyx tube campanulate, to 3mm long, glabrous, 5-lobed, glabrous internally and externally. Lobes linear-subulate, erect, with a prominent midrib, acute, entire, to -5mm long, +1mm broad, glabrous.
Flowering - August - November.
Habitat - Moist ground along rocky wooded banks, ledges, and thickets, also along streams and in moist woodland.
Origin - Native to U.S.
Other info. - This striking species is found mainly in the eastern Ozark section of Missouri but is also found in a few northeastern counties. The plant is easy to ID in flower but can be mistaken for other species in the family when observed vegetatively.
Traditionally the roots of the plant were used to make a tincture or tea that would remedy weak appetite and stimulate digestion. These mixtures were also used for headaches, hepatitis, jaundice, and consumption.