Purple gentian
Gentiana purpurea

Family: Gentianaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 60 cm tall.

There are about 400 Gentiana species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in the high mountains in Central Europe. It is often near streams and marshland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alps, Austria, Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Mediterranean, Norway, Scandinavia, Sweden, Switzerland

How it is used for food

The root is used for gentian bitters.

Edible parts

Rhizome - flavouring, root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Coilantha purpurea Borkh.; Gentiana purpurea var. camtschatica Griseb.; Gentiana purpurea var. kamtschatica Griseb. [Spelling variant]; Gentiana purpurea var. nana Griseb.; Gentianusa purpurea (L.) Pohl; Pneumonanthe purpurea F.W.Schmidt;