Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Equisetopsida - Order: Gentianales - Family: Gentianaceae
Also known as Meadow Fringed Gentian, there are several variants of this lovely wildflower, their features varying slightly depending on the region in which they are growing.
This annual wildflower has several stems branching from near the base. The deep blue flowers are 3 to 6 cm long and have four petals that are fringed along their margins. The leaves occur in opposite pairs.
This gentian species occurs from Northern Canada right down through the Rocky Mountrain range to New Mexico.
In many parts of the Rockies this gentian grows in damp and marshy places and along stream banks, which is where we found it growing in profusion in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The name 'thermalis' refers to this plant's preference for growing in warm places - including very close to geysers in Yellowstone National Park, where it can be found in great profusion.
The Rocky Mountain Fringed Gentian flowers in late summer - from early July onwards.
The specimens shown on this page were photographed in the eastern zone of Rocky Mountain National Park in late August .