Cross gentian
Gentiana cruciata
Family: Gentianaceae
What it is like
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.
There are about 400 Gentiana species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Europe, Hungary, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tasmania
How it is used for food
The roots are sometimes used in the manufacture of gentian bitters. They are used as a spice for tea.
Edible parts
Roots
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Epeburjan, Eepfu, Horecska, Kosorugyoker, Navzkrižnolistni svišč bratinski, Terlec, Terlie, Trlie