HORSE GENTIAN
Triosteum perfoliatum
HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY (Caprifoliaceae)
Identification
- Flowering in May - fruiting in September
- Uncommon in upland woods or edges
- Unique magenta flowers at base of leaves
- Fruits resembling miniature oranges
- Lower leaves fused around stem
This native perennial with straight stems grows up to 4 feet tall. The opposite, broadly oval-shaped leaves are usually fused at the base, completely surrounding the stem (perfoliate) (A). Tubular magenta flowers with 5 shallow lobes surround the stem at the base of the leaves (B). Five persistent, narrow sepals remain attached to the base of the round fruits which resemble tiny oranges (C). Fruits appear in September and October; each contains 3 bean-shaped nutlets.
Found in open upland woods and edges, flowering in May or June. The distinctive orange fruits appear in September and October. Although uncommon elsewhere at FF and NW, this plant can quite reliably be found in the upper portion of the Audubon Prairie restoration on History Trail.
The roots were used by Native Americans, as well as by settler physicians, to treat a variety of ailments, likely the origin of the alternate common names feverwort or feverfew. Other common names include Tinker’s Weed and Wild Coffee.
The genus name triosteum originates from the Greek and refers to the 3 (tri) hard or stony (osteum) seeds contained in the orange fruit. Perfoliatum, the species identifier, is of Latin origin and refers to the fused leaves surrounding the stem.
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