Citation: J.H. Willis, Victorian Nat. 73:199 (1957).

Synonymy: G. diemensis Griseb., Gen. Spec. Gentian. 224 (1838); G. pleurogynoides Griseb., Gen. Spec. Gentian. 236 (1838).

Common name: Gentian, mountain gentian.

Description:
Perennial to annual herb with a soft rootstock, more or less tufted, glabrous, with the stems ridged to quadrangular; basal leaves densely rosulate, with a petiole 2-15 mm long, rarely some narrowly spathulate; lamina narrowly oblanceolate, 8-40 x 2-5 mm, cuneate, obtuse or rounded, slightly fleshy; cauline leaves linear to oblanceolate or narrowly triangular, 7-35 x 2-4 mm, sometimes with a cuneate base, acute or obtuse; slightly fleshy.

Inflorescence a terminal thyrse with 1-7 dichasia each with distinctly stalked flowers; sepals scarcely connate basally; lobes linear, rarely linear-lanceolate, 3-6 mm long, with a sharp often recurved point; corolla cup-shaped or an open bell-shape; cream or rarely white with veins tinged purple; tube 2-3 mm long; lobes lanceolate, rarely ovate, 5-12 mm long, acute or pointed; stamens alternating with the petals and nectary pits at the base, with filaments partly fused to the corolla tube, with purple anthers; ovary narrowly ellipsoid, tapering to both ends and with 2 sessile stigmas.

Septicidal capsule 13-18 mm long, dehiscing only in the upper third.

Published illustration: Costin et al. (1979) Kosciusco alpine flora, tt. 259, 260.

Distribution:    N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Oct. — Feb.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: Sometimes the internodes of the erect branches elongate very much so that the habit becomes decumbent.

Author: Not yet available