Gentiana prostrata
Pygmy gentian
(c) My-Lan Le, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Gentiana prostrata (Pygmy gentian) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by distinctive tiny prostrate annual habit.
Pygmy gentian is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native annual found in the White Mountains in wet mountain meadows at elevations of 3,500 to 3,800 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces medium to deep blue flowers 7 to 18 millimeters long with ovate lobes. Growing with decumbent to prostrate stems just 0.5 to 8 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters close to the ground. Its leaves are spoon-shaped to broad oblanceolate, 2 to 6 millimeters long, with basal and cauline leaves appearing similar. The flower emerges solitary, with a calyx 3.5 to 10 millimeters long and distinctive triangular lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive tiny prostrate annual habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet mountain meadows
Elevation: 3500-3800 m
California counties: Mono
Outside California: to Alaska, Colorado, Eurasia
Bloom period
Gentiana prostrata 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 prostrata native to California?
Yes. Gentiana prostrata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gentiana prostrata bloom?
Gentiana prostrata blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Gentiana prostrata grow?
Gentiana prostrata occurs in Mono, at elevations of 3500-3800 m.
What plant family does Gentiana prostrata belong to?
Gentiana prostrata is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Gentiana.
Is Gentiana prostrata rare or endangered?
Gentiana prostrata carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S1.
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.