Gentiana puberulenta, the downy gentian or prairie gentian. is a branchless perennial plant of the Gentianaceae family native to North America. It is about þâÂÂ1ý' tall, with bright blue to deep blue-violet bell-shaped, upright, five-lobed flowers measuring 1ý to 2ü inches across when fully open. Flowers grow in clusters of 1âÂÂ8 at the apex of the plant. Lanceolate, sessile, glossy leaves up to 3" long and 1ü" across are arranged oppositely along the central stem, except at the apex where they grow in whorls of 3âÂÂ7. Gentiana puberulenta grows in dry upland prairies and woods and rocky open slopes.