Gentianella campestris

This Gentianella (note the fringed appendices
at the base of the corolla lobes) is common in mountain fields and pastures, particularly
during the harvest period.

Gentiana frigida

The plant is encountered on stony slopes and on siliceous rocks, at high altitudes in the Alps (from Austria to Bulgaria). When climate conditions are favorable, one can observe the full opening of the corolla.

Gentiana bavarica

Gentiana bavarica, a common gentian in the
Alps, is rather bad-named. The species was first described in Austria and not in the Bavarian
region of Germany, nor in Munich where a
world-famous beer festival occurs every year.

Gentiana clusii  and G. acaulis

The Clusius’ gentian (Gentiana clusii) is a plant growing on calcareous soils whereas its close relative, the Koch’s gentian (Gentiana acaulis) occurs on silicate. In some intermediate geological places of the Alps and Jura (near Neuchâtel), both the species may grow together producing hybrids.

Gentiana cruciata

The French vernacular name of Gentiana
cruciata is “gentiane croisette”, due to the opposite-decussate leaves giving the general impression of a cross. La Croisette is a famous place in Cannes where the Festival occurs.

Gentiana lutea

The yellow gentian is one of the most imposing species within Gentiana. Some individuals are more than 2 m high. In order to support such architecture, the underground part (roots and rhizome) is large (up to 5 kg). The rhizome is used for its pharmacological properties (to increase appetite and for digestive problems) and to produce very bitter liquors.

Gentiana verna

The spring gentian is early blossoming, sometimes at low elevations (300 m), just after the snow has melted. This species is widespread in Europe
(from Ireland to Russia) and presents many subspecies or varieties.

Gentiana purpurea and G. punctata

These two species occur on siliceous soils and are characterized by some floral features. The purple gentian has a red-wine to red-coppered corolla and exhales a sweet fragrance (between rose and honey). The spotted gentian has a yellowish corolla with brown to purple spots.