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spring gentian

Gentiana verna

The spring gentian is a beautiful blue flower that blooms in early spring. It loves to grow in grassy places and brings joy to everyone who sees it with its bright color.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The spring gentian is a small, low-growing plant featuring intensely vivid, star-shaped, deep blue flowers. Each petal has a small, often greenish-yellow eye, making it visually distinct from other meadow flowers.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderGentianalesFamilyGentianaceaeGenusGentiana
spring gentian
bell_shaped_flower trait badgeflowering trait badgeornamental trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
spring gentian

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its intense blue petals inspired many famous poets and artists!

The plant often thrives in very high mountain meadows, near snowmelt.

The word "verna" in its scientific name means "spring" in Latin.

Traditional medicine sometimes used the spring gentian's bitter roots.

Special abilities

Ability

Early Bloomer

Spring gentian can emerge and bloom even as snow melts, using stored energy to be among the first flowers of the season.

Ability

Magnet for Pollinators

Spring gentian has incredibly bright blue petals that powerfully attract essential insect pollinators, like bees and butterflies.

Ability

Rocky Resilience

Spring gentian can grow in poor, rocky, and thin mountain soils thanks to its specialized root system, securing it against winds.

Measurements & details

Height
5-15 cm
Spread
5-10 cm
Flower Size
2-3 cm
Bloom Season
Spring, early summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Common carder bee

Bombus pascuorum

Important for cross-pollination.

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Collects nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Common blue butterfly

Polyommatus icarus

Attracted to its vivid blue hue.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Do not pick flowers without asking an adult first, so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is spring gentian?

5-15 cm

How wide does spring gentian spread?

5-10 cm

How big are the flowers on spring gentian?

2-3 cm

When does spring gentian bloom?

Spring, early summer

Is spring gentian edible?

No

Is spring gentian toxic?

None

What is spring gentian's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is spring gentian pollinated?

Insect

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