- Scientific name: Halenia deflexa
- Species of Greatest Conservation Need (MA State Wildlife Action Plan)
- Endangered (MA Endangered Species Act)
Description
Spurred gentian (Halenia deflexa) is a distinctive annual wildflower of the gentian family (Gentianaceae), with greenish-purple spurred petals. It is more common to the north and is at the southern edge of its range in Massachusetts.
Spurred gentian is an erect and sometimes branching plant, 20-90 cm (4-24 in) in height. It has opposite, egg-shaped to lance-shaped, nearly sessile stem leaves, 2-5 cm (0.8-2 in) long. The flowers are borne in loose, terminal and axillary clusters, each with 5 to 9 flowers. Pedicels are up to 4 cm (1.6 in) in length. The flowers are five-lobed, with acute purple-green petals and downward-pointing spurs that extend below the sepals. Spurred gentian blooms mid-July into August.
When observed in flower, spurred gentian is very distinctive and is not likely to be confused with a different species. Closed bottle gentian (Gentiana clausa) and Andrew’s bottle gentian (G. andrewsii) look superficially similar, but the petals of these species remain closed at the apex and lack downward pointing spurs.
Life cycle and behavior
This is an annual species.
Population status
Spurred gentian is listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act as endangered. All listed species are legally protected from killing, collection, possession, or sale, and from activities that would destroy habitat and thus directly or indirectly cause mortality or disrupt critical behaviors. The MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program has 2 records from Hampshire County. None of these records have been observed within the last 25 years.
Distribution and abundance
The range of spurred gentian spans most Canadian provinces, and reaches south to Massachusetts, New York, the Great Lakes states, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Habitat
In Massachusetts, spurred gentian inhabits moist cool woods and thickets, especially in semi-shaded, mossy margins of rocky river shores. Associated species include lesser purple fringed orchis (Platanthera psycodes), closed bottle gentian, Canadian burnet (Sanguisorba canadensis), and smooth rose (Rosa blanda).
Healthy habitats are vital for supporting native wildlife and plants. Explore habitats and learn about conservation and restoration in Massachusetts.
Threats
Spurred gentian is threatened by heavy recreational uses, such as hiking, picnicking, and sunbathing in areas along the river where it occurs. These activities can cause physical damage to the plants, disrupting the completion of their reproductive cycle and reducing their seed production. Further, compaction of the soil from foot traffic could make the site less hospitable for germination and seedling establishment. An invasion of exotic plant species, such as Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), and Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), which are known to inhabit cool, rich sites preferred by spurred gentian could pose a severe threat to the species; once established, these exotic plants effectively out-compete many native herbs.
Conservation
As with many rare species, the exact management needs of spurred gentian are not known. Spurred gentian locations that receive heavy recreational use (e.g., hiking, off-road vehicle use, picnicking, sunbathing) should be carefully monitored for physical damage to the plants, and for soil compaction and erosion; trails and other recreational activities should be re-directed to protect the rare plant population. In addition, spurred gentian habitat should be monitored carefully for invasions of exotic plants, particularly Japanese knotweed, garlic mustard, and Japanese barberry. If an exotic plant invasion is identified in spurred gentian habitat, a plan should be developed, in consultation with MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program to eradicate the invaders. All active management of rare plant populations (including invasive species removal) is subject to review under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act and should be planned in close consultation with MassWildlife’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program.
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| Date published: | April 29, 2025 |
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