Gentiana bavarica

Gentiana bavarica
	Gentiana bavarica at the Giardino Botanico Alpino Chanousia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Gentianaceae
Genus:	Gentiana
Species:	G. bavarica
Binomial name
	Gentiana bavarica; L.
Synonyms
	Calathiana bavarica (L.) J. Holub; Gentiana bavarica var. bavarica; Gentiana bavarica var. subacaulis Custer; Gentiana rotundifolia Hoppe ex Griseb.; Hippion bavaricum (L.) F. W. Schmidt;

Gentiana bavarica, the Bavarian gentian, is a herbaceous perennial species of flowering plant in the Gentian family Gentianaceae.

Description

Gentiana bavarica can reach a height of 5–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in). This plant forms a rosette of basal obovate to spathulate yellowish-green leaves, about 1 cm long. Flowers are deep blue, 1–2 centimetres (0.39–0.79 in) long, with broad spreading lobes. They bloom from July to August.

Distribution and habitat

Gentiana bavarica is native to European Alps and prefers wet grasslands at elevation of 1,300–3,600 metres (4,300–11,800 ft) above sea level.

Culture

D. H. Lawrence titled one of his latest poems Bavarian Gentians. In it, he likens the flower to a "blue, forked torch" that he uses to light his descent into the underworld.

References

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