After all the many miles I've tramped around in our neighboring fields and woods I thought I'd seen most of what's here, but no. I've never seen a "wild" blue bloom here with the exception of asters; at least not that I can recall at the moment.

Zone 5
Location: 35+ year nature reclaimed pasture. Scrub shrubs, some goldenrod, lots of brambles, tall grass and a few young trees. Very open canopy, lots of direct sun.

I didn't have the correct lens with me for close-ups, but....
Here it is.....




Any ideas?

I know that! I have them in my yard...ummm...dang...Gentian?

Looks like a Gentiana, but I couldn't tell you which one. Maybe g. cruciata or g. andrewsii?

I was thinking Gentiana andrewsii

I agree, looks like Gentian andrewsii: http://www.google.com/search?

q=Gentiana+andrewsii&hl=en&biw=1420&bih=798&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=HUWKTtqyE4S2twed17WWAw&ved=0CDsQsAQ

http://www.wildflower.org/plan...

Y'all are just too fast for me!

If it is G. andrewsii, we need pictures for the ATP database!


Closed Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii)

Thank you all!!

You guys are quick!

So...they're already as open as they're going to be; in that case I don't think I'll wander that way again until it's time to collect some seeds. I'll admit that in the excitement of the find I was sort of turned around (uhm, lost) for a few minutes there.

Appreciate the help, and of course it'll go into the database!