Greater Fringed Gentian / Gentianopsis crinita

This small wildflower (macro shot) was growing at Elkton bog, near Cremona, north west of the city, back on 30th July. We very rarely find this plant, so it's a treat when we do see it.

Greater Fringed Gentian flowers open on sunny days, but usually remain closed on cloudy days. Individual plants live for only one or two years. This native plant grows in moist, open areas and calcareous bogs. Flowers are blue to white, tube-shaped, 2-4 cm long. Four fringed petals and four sepals. Blooms June-August. "Crinita" means "long-haired", referring to the fringed petal margins.

I've just come across this page on the Internet - several poems about the Fringed Gentian:
www.tickledorange.com/LMM/FringedGentian.html