Gentiana sceptrum
King's scepter gentian
(c) Ed Alverson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Gentianaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Gentiana sceptrum (King's scepter gentian) is a native California herb in the Gentianaceae family, recognized by distinctive lack of sinus appendages.
King's scepter gentian is a California native perennial found in northern coastal and northern coastal range outer coast bioregions in bogs and wet meadows at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces striking blue flowers with ovate-oblong lobes 5 to 10 millimeters long in small clusters. Growing with decumbent to erect stems 5 to 90 centimeters tall, it emerges from a distinct caudex with multiple stems. Its cauline leaves are elliptic to narrow-ovate, 10 to 55 millimeters long, with lower leaves more crowded and upper leaves positioned along shorter internodes. The plant produces distinctive seed capsules that are winged toward the ends, adding to its unique alpine meadow character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinctive lack of sinus appendages is diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Bogs, wet meadows
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: Humboldt, Sonoma, Mendocino, Del Norte, San Luis Obispo
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Gentiana sceptrum 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 sceptrum native to California?
Yes. Gentiana sceptrum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Gentiana sceptrum bloom?
Gentiana sceptrum blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Gentiana sceptrum grow?
Gentiana sceptrum occurs in Humboldt, Sonoma, Mendocino, Del Norte, San Luis Obispo, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Gentiana sceptrum belong to?
Gentiana sceptrum is in the Gentianaceae family, genus Gentiana.
What habitat does Gentiana sceptrum grow in?
Gentiana sceptrum grows in Bogs, wet 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.