Gentiana asterocalyx Diels

Annuals 7-15 cm tall. Stems erect, branched from base, with spreading branches, densely papillate. Leaves crowded; leaf blade subulate to lanceolate, 0.8-1.2 cm × 1.5-2.5 mm, longer than internodes, longer toward stem apex, subleathery, rigid, glossy, margin basal half broadly membranous and ciliolate, apical half cartilaginous and smooth, apex acuminate; veins 1-3, abaxially prominent. Basal leaves withered at anthesis; petiole 0.5-1.5 mm. Stem leaves spreading; petiole tube 1-2 mm. Flowers few, subsessile. Calyx tube tubular, 7-9 mm, membranous, with 15 prominent longitudinal veins; lobes spreading rigidly, needlelike, as long as tube, subleathery, glossy, base narrowed, margin basal half broadly membranous and ciliolate, apical half cartilaginous and smooth, apex acuminate and apiculate, veins 1-3 and prominent. Corolla blue-purple, with pale yellow-white base, tubular-funnelform, 1.8-2 cm; lobes ovate-elliptic, 4-5 mm, margin entire, apex obtuse; plicae oblong, 2.5-3 mm, margin denticulate, subtruncate. Stamens inserted at middle of corolla tube, equal; filaments 3-4 mm; anthers narrowly ellipsoid, 1-1.5 mm. Style 3-4 mm; stigma lobes linear. Capsules narrowly obovoid, 8-9 mm; gynophore to 2.5 cm, stout. Seeds light brown, ellipsoid, 1.1-1.3 mm. Fl. and fr. Jul-Aug.

NW Yunnan.

* Grasslands on limestone; 3000-3200 m.