Andrews’ Bottle Gentian

Gentiana andrewsii

Pollinator Value

❄️ Winter Food Source: Seeds of Gentiana are consumed by Lapland Longspur (Calcariidae) and White-tailed Ptarmigan (Phasianidae), though these bird species are largely outside the Outaouais range. Fruit/seed abundance is high with seeds produced from summer through fall.
S57+S11

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Globally secure (G5) and nationally secure in Canada (N4). Apparently Secure in Ontario (S4) but Not Ranked in Quebec (SNR). Not listed under SARA. Uncommon in the Ottawa-Hull region per both Gillett & White 1978 and Brunton 2005. Quebec herbarium records span from 1943 to 2018 across southern Quebec.
S22+S63+S62+S54+S26
Rarity Ranks: QC SNR – Not Ranked, ON S4 – Apparently Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Inhabits moist to wet meadows, damp prairies, shores, floodplains, thickets, and marshy ground. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region it occurs along river banks and in low wet swales, often in association with Spiraea alba, Acer saccharum, Acer saccharinum, and Populus tremuloides communities. Requires consistent moisture and tolerates light shade at woodland edges.
S7+S48+S4

Roles: Fire Retardant, Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fire Retardant: S73 [MEDIUM]: S11 Fire Tolerance = Medium (not definitional)] | Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]
Notes: Pairs well with other moisture-loving late-season perennials. OWSL recommends planting with Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead), Geum rivale (Water Avens), Iris versicolor (Blue Flag), Scirpus pendulus (Hanging Bulrush), and Scutellaria lateriflora (Mad-dog Skullcap). Plant tends to lean at maturity so benefits from sturdier neighbours for support. A great companion with other late bloomers in medium-wet to medium soils.
S3+S46+S4

Category: Analgesic, Antidote, Bitter tonic, Eye medicine, Febrifuge, Gynecological aid, Liver aid, Orthopedic aid, Stomachic
S28+S29
Notes: Extensively used by Iroquois and Meskwaki nations. Iroquois used root infusions as a wash and internally for pain, headaches, sore eyes, chills, liver ailments, and muscular soreness. Meskwaki used the root for snakebite and gynecological complaints. PFAF medicinal rating 3/5. The root contains bitter compounds similar to European Gentiana lutea, historically valued as a digestive tonic, appetite stimulant, and febrifuge. Dried root was also hung as a protective charm.
S28+S29

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: No edible uses are documented. PFAF edibility rating 0/5; USDA Palatable Human=No. Moerman records no food uses for this species.
S29+S11+S28