Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi
Alpine gentian
Photo: parent species Gentiana newberryi · (c) Nina House, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi (Alpine gentian) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by Larger end of species size range; corolla medium to deep blue; KR/CaRH/n SNH.
Alpine gentian is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Cascades, and northern Sierra Nevada in wet mountain meadows at elevations of 1,200 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces medium to deep blue flowers, occasionally paler or nearly white, with blooms concentrated in the upper part of the plant. Growing with stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it forms dense clusters in alpine and subalpine meadow environments. Its leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem, typically concentrated in the upper portion of the plant, with lance-shaped to elliptical blades. The plant forms a robust clump with multiple upright stems, creating a distinctive blue-flowered presence in high-elevation mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Larger end of species size range; corolla medium to deep blue; KR/CaRH/n SNH
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet mountain meadows
Elevation: 1200-2200 m
California counties: Trinity, Sierra, Mono, Siskiyou, Butte, Lassen
Outside California: Oregon
Bloom period
Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi blooms Jul-Sep.
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 var. newberryi native to California?
Yes. Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi bloom?
Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi grow?
Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi occurs in Trinity, Sierra, Mono, Siskiyou, Butte, Lassen, at elevations of 1200-2200 m.
What plant family does Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi belong to?
Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Gentiana.
What habitat does Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi grow in?
Gentiana newberryi var. newberryi grows in Wet mountain meadows.
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.