Gentiana plurisetosa
Klamath gentian, Klamath Gentian
(c) Dee Shea Himes, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Gentiana plurisetosa (Klamath gentian) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by large size, broad leaves with long sheaths, and highly divided sinus appendages.
Klamath gentian is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern coastal ranges in wet mountain meadows at elevations of 1,200 to 1,900 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces deep blue flowers with intricate corolla lobes 7 to 14 millimeters long, each with short-acuminate tips and delicate thread-like appendages. Growing 5 to 40 centimeters tall with decumbent to erect stems emerging from a caudex, the plant develops multiple stems with densely spaced cauline leaves. Its cauline leaves are notably broad, measuring 12 to 60 millimeters long and 7 to 38 millimeters wide, with elliptic to round shapes and obtuse to acute tips. The flower's unique calyx reaches 17 to 25 millimeters long, with lance-elliptic lobes that contribute to its distinctive alpine meadow appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are large size, broad leaves with long sheaths, and highly divided sinus appendages
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet mountain meadows
Elevation: 1200-1900 m
California counties: Humboldt, Siskiyou
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Gentiana plurisetosa blooms Jul-Sep.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 plurisetosa native to California?
Yes. Gentiana plurisetosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gentiana plurisetosa bloom?
Gentiana plurisetosa blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Gentiana plurisetosa grow?
Gentiana plurisetosa occurs in Humboldt, Siskiyou, at elevations of 1200-1900 m.
What plant family does Gentiana plurisetosa belong to?
Gentiana plurisetosa is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Gentiana.
Is Gentiana plurisetosa rare or endangered?
Gentiana plurisetosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.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.