Shortleaf rose gentian (Sabatia capitata)
Description
Sabatia capitata - Appalachian Rose Gentian, Cumberland Rose Gentian. Recorded as found in only 4 states (AL, GA, NC, TN), Sabatia capitata is legally protected, listed as Rare in Georgia, where it is known in 7 counties, and listed as Endangered in Tennessee, where it is known only in 2 counties - Hamilton and Sequatchie. It is listed as "S2" - some level of endangered - in Alabama. The research that I've done so far implies that it is likely extinct in North Carolina. Appalachian Rose Gentian has 7 to 12 pink (rarely white) petals, that are .5 to 1 inch long. The petals have a yellow base (in this new blossom, yellowish-green.) They are borne in tight clusters terminating the stem, or at the upper leaf axils. In this photo, you can see a pair of unopened flowers peeking from behind the petals of the open flower.
Taxonomic tree
-
Domain: Eukarya
-
-
Kingdom: Plantae
-
-
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
-
-
Class: Magnoliopsida
-
-
Order: Gentianales
-
-
Family: Gentianaceae
-
-
Genus: Sabatia
-
-
-
-
-
-
