Gentiana cruciata L.

A small herb. It grows 40 cm high and spreads 30 cm wide. The stems are short and leafy. They are upright. These develop from a ring of leaves at the base. These leaves are glossy and sword shaped. They are 10-20 cm long. The higher leaves are smaller. The flowers are long, narrow and bell shaped. They occur at the tips of branches and in the axils of leaves. They are blue to purple.

Dry alpine meadows, woods, rocks and banks, usually on limey soils.

The roots are sometimes used in the manufacture of gentian bitters. They are used as a spice for tea.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs stratification.