Eustoma exaltatum

Eustoma exaltatum (L.) Salisb. ex G. Don

Common Names: Marsh Gentian

Family: Gentianaceae

Habit: Eustoma exaltatum a herbaceous annual up to 1 meters in height. The sessile leaves are arranged oppositely, to 10 cm in length, ovate, with an entire leaf margin.  The leaves are light green with a pale gray waxy cuticle and slightly succulent.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in few flowered panicles.  The calyx has 5 unfused, green sepals. The corolla has 5, fused lavender or white petals that are yellow at their base.  There are 5 stamens fused to the base of the corolla.  The ovary is superior with a single locule and numerous seeds.  The fruit is a capsule at maturity.

Habitat: Eustoma exaltatum grows in and around Fresh Water Wetlands as well as Human Altered environments (yards, roadsides, abandoned fields).

Distribution: Eustoma exaltatum occurs throughout the Lucayan Archipelago, the southern half of the United States, south through South America and the entire Caribbean region.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Eustoma exaltatum has been used to treat eye problems in the Lucayan Archipelago.