| Marsh gentian, Seaside gentian, Catchfly prairie-gentian
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| Eustoma exaltatum
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| Gentianaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also wildflower gardens. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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| Availability: |
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Available at native plant nurseries in central Florida. |
| Description: |
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Medium annual herbaceous wildlflower. |
| Height: |
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About 1-3 feet in height. Taller than broad. |
| Growth Rate: |
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Fast. |
| Range: |
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Southeastern, midwestern and western United States south to the Monroe County Keys; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America. |
| Habitats: |
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Coastal wetlands. |
| Soils: |
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Wet to moist, poorly-drained to occasionally inundated brackish or freshwater soils. |
| Nutritional Requirements: |
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Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive. |
| Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Moderate; tolerates brackish water or occasional inundation by salt water. |
| Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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High; can tolerate moderate amounts of salt wind without significant injury. |
| Drought Tolerance: |
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Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought. |
| Light Requirements: |
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Full sun. |
| Flower Color: |
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Rose-purple or white with a dark purple center. |
| Flower Characteristics: |
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Showy, 3/4" long. |
| Flowering Season: |
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All year; peak December-August. |
| Fruit: |
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An inconspicuous sticky capsule. |
| Wildlife and Ecology: |
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| Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seed. |
| Comments: |
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A very attractive wildflower. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page. |
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Chuck McCartney, 1986 In habitat, Everglades National Park, Florida
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James Johnson, 2014 In habitat, Everglades National Park, Florida Expand
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James Johnson, 2014 In habitat, Everglades National Park, Florida
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James Johnson, 2014 In habitat, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Monroe County, Florida
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James Johnson, 2014 In habitat, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Monroe County, Florida
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