Gentiana latidens (Gentianaceae), the Balsam Mountain Gentian

Gentiana latidens, previously described by House as a variety of G. saponaria, is here raised to specific rank. This species is endemic to the Balsam Mountains and nearby ranges in western North Carolina. It is most similar to G. clausa, from which it differs most notably in its larger flowers with larger, more variable calyx lobes and less tightly closed corollas that taper more gradually toward the summit.