Botanical name:

Gentianella corymbifera 

Common name(s):

Grassland gentian, tall gentian

About:

This gentian is an impressive plant that can reach a height of up to 50 cm tall. It grows from a deep taproot, which anchors it securely in the soil, and forms a striking basal rosette of thick, fleshy, oblong leaves that contribute to its overall robustness. The flower stem exhibits a purplish hue and produces large, eye-catching heads of white flowers that can measure up to 2 cm across, blooming from summer through to autumn. This species is found in montane to alpine areas of the South Island, extending its range from Marlborough to Otago. Importantly, it is classified as a monocarpic species, meaning that after it completes its flowering cycle, it dies, necessitating continual replacement in its habitat.

Natural habitat: 

Montane to alpine. In short-tussock and tall-tussock grassland, rough pasture on hill slopes, within inter-montane basins, along river terraces, and more rarely in ephemeral or permanent wetlands. Being unpalatable to livestock it is common in heavily browsed montane to alpine grasslands.

Growing environment:

Frost, Shade & Wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s South Island from Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago, mostly east of the Main Divide, and scarce in Otago.

Height: 50cm

Flowering:  

December – March with a pinkish/purple to white coloured flower/s 

Fruiting:

February – May

Uses: 

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Riparian plantings

How to grow:

Difficult. Should not be removed from the wild. Propagation usually by seed.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though