Gentianella quinquefolia aka Agueweed

Gentianella quinquefolia is also called stiff gentian. It belongs to the gentian family. Its native range spans southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. It grows in wet fields, bogs, woods, and roadside sites. In North Carolina, it grows in the mountains. This wildflower often grows leaves in its first year. It then blooms in its second year. Some plants live out their life cycle in one year.

Plants stand 0.5–2 feet (0.15–0.61 metres) tall and grow upright. They grow at a moderate rate. The smooth stems have four angles and slight wings. They range from pale green to reddish purple. Simple leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of stems. Each pair makes a quarter turn from the pair below. Leaves have a lance shape or a somewhat heart-like shape. They have sharp tips. They lack stalks or clasp the stem a little. Their smooth faces show three to seven clear veins. These veins run side by side. Green leaves may have yellow or purple tones. Leaves grow smaller toward the stem tip.

Flowers open from August through October in tight, upright groups. They range from violet and lavender to white. Each tube-shaped flower flares into a funnel. It has five pointed lobes, each with a bristle-like tip. The blooms draw bees and add color late in the season. After bloom, seed pods called capsules split into two parts. They shed many tiny seeds. Wind and water carry them away from the parent plant.

Give this plant sun or light shade and moist soil. It grows in clay and shallow, rocky ground with good drainage. Plants For A Future also calls for damp soil rich in humus. Cool summers suit it, and mountain sites favor its growth. NC State lists it for USDA zones 4–8. Plants do not transplant well, so seed gives a better start. Sow ripe seed in autumn where plants will grow.

Stiff gentian can suit native plantings and natural wildflower areas. Yet NC State notes mixed views on its home-garden value. The North Carolina Native Plant Society does not recommend it for home landscapes. NC State reports no major pest or disease problems. Sources record herbal uses and use in an alcoholic drink. Plants For A Future lists no known edible uses or hazards. This lack of known hazards does not prove it safe to eat.