Gentiana acaulis or clusii?

[Katherine J]

Dear All,

All these pics were taken on mostly silicaceous mountains, but there are some - very little - limestone formations. I was so fool that I did not look properly at the plants, because I thought all must be G. acaulis. But now, looking at the pics, I think, some are clusii... Does G. clusii occur on silicaceous rocks? (there was a thick layer of soil)
And does the green patch in the trumpet change color with the ageing of the flower?
I know, that I must have had a look also on the sepals, but I haven't, and on the pics they can't always be seen too well.
Any opinions are welcome...

[Maggi Young]

I will give you my opinion of my first impression, Kata......
stunning photos! Just superb! 


 I find gentians confusing.... I'm finding more plants confusing every day! But I know a great set of photos when  I see them!

[Katherine J]

Maggi, You always have a cheering answer, thank You!
And shy on me to miss Your birthday! It was written on my table calendar, the only problem was, that I wasn't at home to see it.
So many happy returns!

[gote]

I agree with Maggie beautiful pictures and happy birthday to you Maggie.
I thought that Gentiana acaulis did not exist any more
Linné did not know there were several so the diagnosis was not precise enough and the type specimen has disappeared.
Another way to look at it would be to say that all these are acaulis since they conform to the description in Species Plantarum
I think 
Göte.
PS
This is not a helpful answer I do not know the real one

[Katherine J]

Linné did not know there were several so the diagnosis was not precise enough and the type specimen has disappeared.

He (Linné) was a happy man!

[hadacekf]

Katherine,
Number 02,05,06 are Gentiana acaulis. Super pictures.

[Lesley Cox]

I thought that Gentiana acaulis did not exist any more

How can you SAY such a thing Gote? The world could stop turning!

[gote]

I thought that Gentiana acaulis did not exist any more

How can you SAY such a thing Gote? The world could stop turning!

Please do not blame me. Blame the taxonomists
Göte

[gote]

Jokes apart;
It seems that the pendulum has swung back again. When I last looked at Gentiana acaulis it had transformed to the name of a group including kochiana, clusii, ligustica, dinarica, occidentalis, and alpina but no acaulis.
Now Acaulis sees to be back again replacing kochiana A google search for [Bull. Soc. Hist. Nat. Savoie 185. 1853] will open the relevant page of Flora europaea printed 1980 (copy and paste from my quotation above) I assume that reflects the present situation.
I am ocf course pleased that the Linnean name is restored.
Cheers
Göte

[Katherine J]

Thank You very much Franz!