Rare and endangered flowers of Cape Cod

2.  Plymouth Gentian

Latin name:

Sabatia kennedyana

Blooms:

July-September

Habitat:

Wet meadows; Pondshores

MESA* Listing:

Species of Concern

* Massachussets Endangered Species Act,
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/list-of-endangered-threatened-and-special-concern-species

Description:

If there is one wildflower which symbolizes the fragile beauty of our many coastal plain kettle ponds, it is the incomparable Plymouth gentian.

An experience not soon forgotten is to walk the perimeter of a quiet pond in midsummer and be greeted there by a sea of pink garlanding the shoreline*.

*quoted from DiGregorio, Mario J. and Jeff Walker. 1989. Cape Cod Wildflowers.