Gentiana newberryi
Alpine gentian
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Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Gentiana newberryi (Alpine gentian) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by Dwarf; decumbent stems from caudex BELOW a basal rosette; spoon-shaped basal leaves; 1-few flowers; alpine meadows.
Alpine gentian is a California native perennial found in high alpine and subalpine areas at elevations of 2,000 to 3,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces blue to deep purple flowers with intricate corolla lobes 23 to 55 millimeters long featuring distinctive fringed appendages. Growing with decumbent stems 5 to 10 centimeters tall arising from a caudex, it forms low-growing clusters in rocky mountain environments. Its basal leaves are widely spoon-shaped and rounded, measuring 8 to 50 millimeters long, while upper cauline leaves become progressively narrower and more linear. The delicate flowers emerge in small clusters of 1 to 5, with corolla lobes that have uniquely jagged, thread-like tips creating an intricate botanical display.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Dwarf; decumbent stems from caudex BELOW a basal rosette; spoon-shaped basal leaves; 1-few flowers; alpine meadows
Habitat and range
California counties: El Dorado, Humboldt, Fresno, Trinity, Tulare, Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne, Amador, Plumas, Siskiyou, Lassen, Sierra, Madera, Placer, Butte, Mariposa, Nevada, Shasta, Tehama, Alpine
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 newberryi native to California?
Yes. Gentiana newberryi is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Gentiana newberryi grow?
Gentiana newberryi occurs in El Dorado, Humboldt, Fresno, Trinity, Tulare, Mono, Inyo, Tuolumne and other counties.
What plant family does Gentiana newberryi belong to?
Gentiana newberryi is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Gentiana.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.