Names and Myths

Gentiana Name from Gentius king of Illyria who Pliny claims discovered its medical value.⁵⁴

clausa Closed

Natural history / Folklore

The closed gentain is bee pollinated, the closed petals protects the pollen and nectar from rain, and theft by smaller insects⁶. The flowers show sequential maturation, the stamens mature first, and are followed by the female organs.⁸

Description

Flowers closed at tip. Blue flowers 1 to 1.5 inches in length.