Gentiana fremontii
Fremont's gentian, Fremont's Gentian
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Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Gentiana fremontii (Fremont's gentian) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by annual habit also distinctive.
Fremont's gentian is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in the Southern California Transverse Ranges in wet mountain meadows at elevations of 2,400 to 2,700 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to pale blue flowers with dark blue undersides, delicate blossoms 7 to 15 millimeters long with narrow petals. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 2 to 10 centimeters tall, it appears compact and low-growing in alpine meadow settings. Its leaves are distinctive, with basal leaves shaped like wide spoons or rounded, measuring 2 to 13 millimeters long, and upper stem leaves narrow and strongly ascending. The plant bears a single flower per stem, with white-margined leaves that create a subtle, intricate appearance in its high-elevation habitat.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; annual habit also distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet mountain meadows
Elevation: 2400-2700 m
California counties: San Bernardino
Outside California: to western Canada, Colorado
Bloom period
Gentiana fremontii blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Gentianopsis: Gentiana corolla lobes have folded pleats (plaits) in the sinuses between them and entire lobe margins; Gentianopsis (fringed gentian) lacks pleats and has conspicuously fringed lobe margins.; vs Gentianella: Gentiana has pleated sinuses between the lobes; Gentianella has no pleats, often a fringe of hairs in the throat, and generally smaller flowers.; vs Frasera: Gentiana has a tubular-funnel corolla of fused lobes with pleated sinuses; Frasera and Swertia have wheel-shaped, deeply divided corollas with nectary pits or glands on each lobe.; vs Zeltnera: Gentiana is a fleshy perennial with large blue funnel flowers and pleated sinuses; Zeltnera and Centaurium are slender annuals with pink flat-faced (salverform) flowers and no pleats.; vs Comastoma: Gentiana has pleated corolla sinuses; Comastoma is a tiny alpine annual with a fringe of scales in the corolla throat and no pleats.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gentiana fremontii native to California?
Yes. Gentiana fremontii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gentiana fremontii bloom?
Gentiana fremontii blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Gentiana fremontii grow?
Gentiana fremontii occurs in San Bernardino, at elevations of 2400-2700 m.
What plant family does Gentiana fremontii belong to?
Gentiana fremontii is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Gentiana.
Is Gentiana fremontii rare or endangered?
Gentiana fremontii carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.