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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Marsh Felwort
Lomatogonium rotatum (L.) Fr. ex Fernald

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Gentian (Gentianaceae)
Flowering: August-September
Field Marks: This species has 5 united blue petals that form a rotate flower, rather than a tubular one. The stigmas are attached to the sides of the ovary.
Habitat: Wet meadows, bogs, often in salty habitats.
Habit: Annual herb with fibrous roots.
Stems: Upright, usually unbranched, up to 10 inches tall, smooth.
Leaves: Opposite, simple, those on the lower part of the stem oblong to oblanceolate, those on the upper part of the stem linear, up to 1 1/2 inches long, smooth, without teeth.
Flowers: Borne singly in the axils of the upper leaves, on slender, smooth stalks.
Sepals: 4-5, green, united only at the base, smooth, 1/3-1/2 inch long.
Petals: 4-5, blue or rarely white, united near the base but not forming a tube, pointed at the tip, 1/4-3/4 inch long.
Stamens: 4-5, attached to the base of the petals.
Pistils: Ovary superior, smooth; stigmas attached to the sides of the ovary.
Fruits: Capsules ellipsoid to oblongoid, smooth; seeds numerous.

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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/florawe/species/7/lomarota.htm
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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:27:15 EST
Reston, VA [vaww55]