LADDER GENTIAN 



Gentiana acuta Michaux 



Ladder gentian is not so handsome or showy as many other gen- 

 tians. The stems are stiff and frequently dark red in color. The nu- 

 merous flowers are lavender or sometimes white, and spring from 

 the stem in the axils of the upper leaves. Often the plants are almost 

 pyramidal in form, especially when growing among other plants in 

 full sunshine in upland meadows. This species prefers rather dry, 

 sandy soil, and as the roots are very shallow, the plants are easily 

 pulled up. 



Ladder gentian ranges from New Mexico to California and north 

 to Alaska, and from Maine to Labrador. It is found also in Europe 

 and Asia. 



The sketch was made from a specimen secured near Lake Louise 

 Station, Alberta, Canada, at an altitude of 5,000 feet. 



PLATE 2.94 



