Gentiana szechenyii Kanitz

Gentiana szechenyii is a very common and variable species. The calyx lobes show considerable variation. They are unequal and usually lanceolate to elliptic, but sometimes even on the same plant the calyx lobes can be elliptic, lanceolate, and toothlike. The corolla color has been described as blue or pale yellow, but in living plants is white with blue stripes and spots, and it changes color on drying.

Perennials 5-7 cm tall. Taproot short, stout. Stems ascending, 2-3 cm, simple, glabrous; caudex sheathed by black membranous remnants of old petioles. Leaf blade sometimes folded, base slightly broadened, margin cartilaginous, apex acuminate, midvein scabrous. Basal rosette leaves well developed; petiole to 1 cm, membranous; leaf blade lanceolate to ensiform-lanceolate, 4-6 cm × 3-10 mm. Stem leaves 2-4 pairs, upper leaves 2 (or 3) pairs, surrounding calyx; petiole to 6 mm, membranous; leaf blade lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate, or ovate-triangular, 1.5-3 cm × 3-6 mm. Flowers terminal, solitary, sessile. Calyx tube obconic, 1.2-1.7 cm, membranous; lobes lanceolate to elliptic, 0.7-1.7 cm, unequal, margin and midvein cartilaginous and scabrous, apex acuminate to obtuse. Corolla white when fresh but pale yellow or pale blue when dry, with greenish spots and blue stripes, campanulate, 4-6 cm; lobes broadly ovate, 5-6 mm, margin entire, apex rounded and cuspidate; plicae ovate, 2.5-3 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse. Stamens inserted at middle of corolla tube; filaments 1.5-1.7 cm; anthers narrowly ellipsoid, 4-5 mm. Style 1-1.3 cm; stigma lobes triangular. Capsules narrowly ellipsoid, 1.7-2 cm; gynophore to 2.3 cm. Seeds dark brown, ellipsoid, 1-1.2 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun-Nov.

S Gansu, Qinghai, W Sichuan, SE Xizang, NW Yunnan

* Alpine meadows; 3000-4800 m.

Gentiana callistantha Diels & Gilg; G. rosularis Fran-chet.