Gentianopsis (Fringed Gentians) of the Yellowstone Ecosystem

This is an effort to collect information I have researched regarding this genus. I am not an expert in Gentianopsis, and I hope as a result of sharing this, that those more familiar with the genus may suggest corrections and improvements. All notes on range are in reference to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, presence outside this range is generally not considered.

Gentianopsis thermalis (Rocky Mountain Fringed Gentian)

Photo source 1 Photo source 2

Range: All counties in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem except Teton Co, ID and Bonneville Co, ID
Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
Identification Resources: American Southwest Flowers, Montanta Field Guide, Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, Jepson Manual, USDA - USFS plant of the week
Fringed, scalloped petals (corolla lobes) that are in a spiral arrangement when closed. When flowers open in dalylight, petals/lobes overlap to form a square shaped opening. The lobes are widest at the tip and are broader than G. simplex. The calyx may have a purple vein and is wider than G. simplex. Stem leaves are opposite, more elliptical at the base and liner near the top. Branched/multiple stems.
G. thermalis is the official flower of Yellowstone National Park and is commonly seen near geothermal areas.

Gentianopsis barbellata (Perennial Fringed Gentian)

Photo 1 source Photo 2 source

Range: Only in Wyoming
Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project
Identification Resources: Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, SEINet
Fringed petals taper toward the tip. Shorter than G. thermalis The base of the stem/peduncle is surrounded by several bract-like leaves.

Gentianopsis simplex (Hiker's Gentian, Oneflower Fringed Gentian)

Photo 1 source Photo 2 source

Range: Per BONAP: Present in Fremont Co, WY, Rare in Carbon Co, MT. Questionable presence in Teton Co, WY and Park Co,WY. However, the Montana Field Guide notes that additional populations are likely to be identified if surveys are conducted.
Observations in Flora of the Yellowstone Ecosystem Project. As of November 2022, there are none identified in this area on iNat.
Identification Resources: Jepson Manual, PNW Flowers, Oregon Flora, POWO, Montana Field Guide
Fringed petals (corolla lobes) are pointed at the tips. The Montana Field Guide notes that the tips have entire margins, but that is inconsistent with nearly all RG G. simplex on iNat. Calyx and corolla lobes narrower than G. thermalis (observation discussion). Notches between lobes are not plaited or fringed. Leaves are oval to lance-shaped, with lower leaves more likely to be oval and the upper more likely to be longer/narrower. Singular flower on singular (in branched) stem.

Identification Workflows

Add Phenology annotations to Gentianopsis - This is a great way to interact with these plants on iNat and add to the value of the data. You can read about phenology annotations in this post on the iNat forum.
Identify Gentianopsis in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, excluding those you have previously reviewed
Identify Gentianopsis in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, including those you have previously reviewed. When I have new knowledge, I sometimes like to revisit plants that Need IDs that I may have skipped over.
Review your previous identificiations (replace whitneybrook with your name): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?reviewed=any&quality_grade=needs_id%2Cresearch&ident_user_id=whitneybrook&taxon_id=72142
thermalis script: Fringed petals/corolla lobes, widest at apex, overlap to create square opening, or spiral arrangement when closed. May have purple vein on calyx; multiple stems. https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/144298/journal/72726
detonsa misidentification script: Out of range for G. detonsa. POWO: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:108755-2. BONAP: http://bonap.net/Napa/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Gentianopsis
Other species misidentification script: Review ranges for Gentianopsis in the US at BONAP: http://bonap.net/Napa/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Gentianopsis