Gentiana terglouensis - Triglav Gentian

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Gentianales - Family: Gentianaceae

Above: Triglav Gentians at nearly 2000 metres above sea level.

On limestone scree or nestled among short sward on stony mountains, Triglav Gentians usually often occur is small, scattered numbers and can easily go unnoticed, but when you do find them in large colonies these startling deep blue flowers really do stop you in your tracks.

Description

Gentiana terglouensis is similar to Gentiana verna, the Spring Gentian found widely across much of Europe includiing a few places in Britain and Ireland. Rarely growing taller than 3 to 6cm, Triglav Gentians are characterised by brilliant blue flowers typically 18 to 25mm across (slightly larger than Spring Gentians) and 20 to 25mm long with five fused petals and smaller fused sepals. The pale throats are typical of Triglav Gentians. The basal leaves are ovate, whereas those of Gentiana verna are more lanceolate.

Distribution

Gentiana terglouensis is endemic to limestone screes and high alpine short-sward turf in the Triglav region of Slovenia.

Above: an unusual specimen with just four petals rather than the normal five petals of a Triglav Gentian

Habitat

Gentiana terglouensis requires alpine limestone scree or high-altitude short-sward grassland on limestone with very shallow soil; it copes well with exposure to full sunshine.

Blooming Times

Triglav Gentian blooms from late May until August, depending on altitude and sunlight exposure.

Etymology

Gentiana, the generic name, was given to this group of plants because reputedly in the 6th century King Gentia of Illyria used extracts from the roots of Yellow Gentian Gentiana lutea to cure his troops of malaria. The specific epithet terglouensis means comes Terglou (an older form of the Triglav), with the Latin suffix -ensis denoting originating in or belonging to - in this case Triglav Mountain, in Slovenia.

Similar Species

As well as Spring Gentian Gentiana verna, there are many other blue gentians - for example in North America Gentiana parryi grows in alkaline meadows in the Rocky Mountains. Other gentians include the Field Gentian, Gentianella campestris, which flowers from July until October in lowland gassy areas and on dunes, and the Marsh Gentian, Gentiana pneumonanthe.

The photographs of Triglav Gentians Gentiana terglouensis shown on this page were taken in the Julian Alps, Slovenia at the end of May and in early June, when most of the flowers had not yet opened. Peak flowering time is reported to be July.

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