Syn.: Swertia deflexa Sm., Tetragonanthus deflexus (Sm.) Kuntze
Family: Gentianaceae Juss.
Distribution: Northern part of North America from Northwest Territories, throughout Canadian provinces, in US along the Canadian border from Montana and Wyoming to New York and Maine.
Ecology: Moist meadows and open forests, from 800 to 2100 m of elevation. Blooms in July and August.
Description: Annual herb, 10–50 cm tall, hairless. Stem erect, sometimes branched above. Basal leaves petiolate, obovate to spatulate, 5–10 cm long; stem leaves opposite, sessile, lanceolate, 2–4 cm long. Inflorescence is a cyme, both terminal and axillary from upper leaves, 2–9-flowered, pedicelate, sepals 5 mm long, lanceolate, corollas tubular, purplish green or bronze coloured, 10 mm long, 4–5-lobed, each lobe with up to 5 mm long spurs. Fruit is a conical capsule, protruding from the flower like a curved horn.
Threat and protection: States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York list this species as endangered.
These images were taken in Canada, Alberta, Calgary, Weaselhead (July 16, 2012), and Alberta, Calgary, Griffith Woods Park (July 10, 2015).
