Fringed gentian is an impressive annual (or biennial) plant. It can attain a whole meter in height. Its multiple upright branches may produce more than a hundred flowers on long (up to 12 cm) peduncles. Its sightings have become increasingly uncommon, so that it has been put on the watch list in Massachusetts. We haven't yet found fringed gentian in the eastern part of the state. This photo was taken in western MA.