# Clusius' gentian (*Gentiana clusii*)

Clusius' gentian is a beautiful flower that blooms in bright blue. It grows in the mountains and is a special sight to see during the summer months.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mountain regions

![Clusius' gentian](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Gentiana-clusii-ClusiusEnzian.jpg&width=800)

Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gentiana-clusii-ClusiusEnzian.jpg)

## Appearance

The Clusius' gentian has intensely deep blue, trumpet-shaped flowers that point upwards. Its large, solitary blooms sit atop short stems, surrounded by a rosette of glossy, bright green leaves. This low-growing alpine plant is distinct with its pure, striking blue.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Gentianales
- **Family:** Gentianaceae
- **Genus:** Gentiana

## Interesting facts

- Each flower is a single, show-stopping trumpet, usually growing all by itself on a stem!
- For centuries, its roots have been used to create very bitter, traditional herbal liqueurs.
- Its incredible blue color is often called "gentian blue," named after itself!
- This hardy flower can actually bloom right after the snow melts in high mountains.

## Special abilities

- **Alpine Survivor:** Clusius' gentian can grow in harsh, rocky mountain environments thanks to its compact form and tough root system.
- **Pollinator Beacon:** Clusius' gentian has brilliantly blue, wide-open trumpet flowers that act like a visual magnet for alpine bees and other insects.
- **Sweet Nectar Trap:** Clusius' gentian can produce sweet nectar deep inside its long, trumpet-shaped flowers, attracting long-tongued insect pollinators.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 5-15 cm
- **Spread:** 10-20 cm
- **Flower Size:** 3-6 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to early Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — attracted to its deep blue flowers and nectar
- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits flowers for nectar and pollen in alpine areas
- **Eaten by:** [Alpine ibex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alpine-ibex) (*Capra ibex*) — grazes on various alpine plants, including gentians

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.
- [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Don't pick the flowers; they are best enjoyed in nature!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Clusius' gentian?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Clusius' gentian?

5-15 cm

### How wide does Clusius' gentian spread?

10-20 cm

### How big are the flowers on Clusius' gentian?

3-6 cm

### When does Clusius' gentian bloom?

Late Spring to early Summer

### Is Clusius' gentian edible?

No

### Is Clusius' gentian toxic?

None

### What is Clusius' gentian's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Clusius' gentian: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/clusius-gentian)