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Macoun's Gentian - Gentianopsis macounii
Other Names:
Gentiana macounii, Gentianella crinita ssp. macounii, Gentianopsis procera ssp. macounii, Gentianopsis virgata ssp. macounii
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
Gentianopsis macounii is rare in Montana, where plants are known from less than 10 fens along the Rocky Mountain Front in Glacier and Teton Counties. Exhibiting an annual life cycle, populations can fluctuate dramatically in number from year to year. Populations appear to be relatively small in number, with a total, statewide population likely averaging in the thousands. Monitoring data from the Pine Butte Fen suggests that Gentianopsis macounii has declined significantly from the early 1990s, but has appeared to stabilize at these lower levels since the early 2000's.
Revisits to known occurrences, at specified intervals, are needed to collect data on population parameters, habitat conditions, and potential threats. Monitoring at a subset of occurrences, in addition to Pine Butte fen, is necessary to track population trends. Surveys into areas of potentially suitable habitat are also needed to better understand the species' distribution in the state.
General Description
Macoun's Gentian is a glabrous annual with erect, simple to few-branched stems that are 5-50 cm high. The basal leaves are 2-3 cm long and lance-shaped with blunt tips. The opposite stem leaves are narrower with pointed tips. A solitary, long-stalked flower occurs at the stem tip, while others may arise from the upper leaf axils. The calyx is 15-25 mm long and has 4 pointed lobes and small, white bumps at the base. The deep blue, tubular corolla is 2-5 cm long and has 4 broad, spreading, fringed lobes. The 4 stamens have hairs at midlength. The fruit is a stalked, narrowly elliptic, many-seeded capsule that is 12-25 mm long.
Lesica (2012) splits out of this species Gentianopsis detonsa, which is diagnosed by the presense of papillae on the ribs of the calyx.
Phenology
Flowering in August, fruiting in early September.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Gentianopsis dentosa is similar but lacks the small white bumps at the base of the calyx.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Yukon to Quebec, south to BC, MT, and ND. Peripheral.
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 20
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Wet, organic soil of calcareous fens in the valley and foothill zones.
National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Wetland and Riparian
Peatland
Stewardship Responsibility
Threats or Limiting Factors
Reported threats to Montana's populations of Macoun's Gentian include the potential risk imposed from a changing climate. The MTNHP conducted a species-level assessment using the Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) in 2021, which resulted in a Highly Vulnerable rating to climate change. Climate change, including increased ambient temperatures, decreased snowpacks, and increased frequencies and severities of drought could have negative impacts on this species; however, field-based data on the timing and magnitude are not available.
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 771 p.
MTNHP Threat Assessment. 2021. State Threat Score Assignment and Assessment of Reported Threats from 2006 to 2021 for State-listed Vascular Plants. Botany Program, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?- Ament, R.J. 1995. Pioneer Plant Communities Five Years After the 1988 Yellowstone Fires. M.Sc. Thesis. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University. 216 p.
- Iltis, H.H. 1965. The genus Gentianopsis (Gentianaceae): transfers and phytogeographic comments. Sida 2:129-153.
- Lesica, P. 1986. Vegetation and flora of Pine Butte fen, Teton County, Montana. The Great Basin Naturalist 46(1): 22-32.
- Lesica, P. 1991. The Rare Vascular Plants of Pine Butte Swamp Preserve. Unpublished Report to the Nature Conservancy. 15 Pp.
- Lesica, P., M.T. Lavin, and P.F. Stickney. 2022. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants, Second Edition. Fort Worth, TX: BRIT Press. viii + 779 p.
- Web Search Engines for Articles on "Macoun's Gentian"
