Gentianella muelleriana subsp. alpestris

Mueller's Snow-gentian at Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

Gentianella muelleriana subsp. alpestris at Kosciuszko National Park, NSW - 5 Mar 2014
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Identification history

Gentianella muelleriana subsp. alpestris 18 Mar 2021 Tapirlord
Gentianella sp. 15 Mar 2021 Tapirlord
Gentianella sp. 14 Mar 2021 Mike

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5 comments

Mike wrote:
   15 Mar 2021
I was hoping for species ID. Next week I will be on a gentian hunt so wouldn't mind a few clues.
Tapirlord wrote:
   16 Mar 2021
Hi Mike, i've had another look and I'm thinking we might call this Gentianella muelleriana subsp. alpestris, given its near Mt Kosciusko, can you confirm that is the location? The map data seems to be playing up for me at the moment. In terms of separating the Gentianella sp: Gentiana baeuerlenii, is a nationally threatened herb to around 4cm so is quite easily distinguished from the other sp, Gentianella barringtonensis is rare in our region and more commonly found further north in the Southern highlands.
Gentianella muelleriana has narrow-lanceolate leaves as opposed to oblanceolate in the other three sp. The two subsp in our region (jingerensis & alpestris) are roughly distinguished by range, with alpestris being confined to Mt Kosciusko and the surrounding hills, while jingerensis tends to be found in the Brindabella ranges as far south as Bimberi Peak. Gentianella polysperes, Gentianella cunninghamii subsp. cunninghamii, Gentianella sylvicola are all very hard to distinguish from photos, in the words
of Betty Wood, You would need to provide plant height, and photos of the sepals, flower stalk, and leaves, before I could attempt to ID it to species level. Goodluck with your Gentian hunt, I would be very interested in the results. Hope this helps :).
Mike wrote:
   17 Mar 2021
Location is correct, along track from Charlotte Pass to Blue Lake. I was doing some weed mapping in the days before CNM. Now I know to take more photos.
Tapirlord wrote:
   18 Mar 2021
Have confirmed Gentianella muelleriana subsp. alpestris, based on location and lax inflorescence (Subsp. jingerensis has densely packed inflorescence in clumps of 8-15). Happy Gentian hunting mike :).
   18 Mar 2021
Thanks Tapirlord - great explanation

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  • 1 - 3 Abundance
  • 5 Mar 2014 02:09 PM Recorded on
  • Mike Recorded by

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  • 10cm to 30cm Plant height
  • True In flower

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