stiff gentian, Gentianella quinquefolia

Stiff gentians were the first of our targets that we came to on Saturday's outing. A strong plant can have dozens of these inch-long blooms. This and related annuals or biennials were formerly included in the genus Gentian. Stiff gentian is also called ague weed, and has been used medicinally as a cathartic, febrifuge, haemostatic, stomachic and stimulant. Stiff gentian grows in a variety of soils and shade conditions, and is perhaps the best gentian for gardens. The species grows in AR, CT, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, and ON. Adams Co OH, 10/2/21. Gentian family, Gentianaceae.