Greater Fringed Gentian

Greater fringed-gentian is a beautiful, autumn-flowering plant, 8-24 in. tall, often branched above. Showy, blue flowers have four spreading petals that are fringed at the end and part way down the sides. A single, blue, fringed flower, opening in the sun and closing at night, is at the end of each erect stem of a branching plant. The petals are twisted together when the flower is closed.
One of the most beautiful of the gentians, with its delicately fringed petals and striking blue color, it is becoming rare and must not be picked. It is a biennial, and along with the other gentians, is among the last wildflowers to bloom in the late summer and fall. The Smaller Fringed Gentian (G. procera) is similar but has narrow leaves, a shorter fringe, and is only 6-18 (15-45 cm) high. It occurs in midwestern, boggy prairies and limy areas. Both the common and generic names of this group come from that of King Gentius of Illyria, who, according to the Ancient Roman naturalist Pliny, discovered the medicinal qualities of the roots for use as an emetic, cathartic, and tonic.
(http://www.wildflower.org)

Photographed in Ste. Rita, Manitoba
Canon EOS 50D; Canon 17-85mm lens
1/125 sec.; F/13; 85mm; ISO400