Field Gentian

Appearance

''Gentianella campestris'' is a plant of small size, reaching on average 3–30 centimetres in height. It has erect stems, simple or branched at the base and the leaves are opposite, ovate-lanceolate and unstalked. The flowers are 15–30 millimetres in size. Their color is usually bluish-purple, but may be white, pink or lilac, with petals and sepals fused. There are four petals, ciliate at the base. There are also four sepals, which differ in size. The flowering period extends from June to October. The fruit is a capsule.

Naming

* ''Gentianella campestris'' subsp. ''baltica'' Á. Löve & D. Löve
⤷  ''Gentianella campestris'' subsp. ''campestris''
⤷  ''Gentianella campestris'' subsp. ''suecica'' Tzvelev

Distribution

Field gentian is widespread in northern, central and southern Europe and its distribution range includes the European Alps and the Jura.

Habitat

This plant prefers moderately moist to rather dry substrates and neutral or acid soils of alpine meadows, lawns, pastures, forest clearings and roadsides, at an altitude of 1,000–2,300 metres above sea level. On the Isle of Man the species is found, and flourishes at sea level on the Ayres National Nature Reserve.