All flowers
Great Yellow Gentian Wikimedia Commons
Gentianaceae

Great Yellow Gentian

Gentiana lutea

truth.

Family
Gentianaceae
Genus
Gentiana
Native to
Central and Southern Europe
Bloom season
Summer
Type
perennial
Height
3-6 feet
Sunlight
full sun to partial shade
Soil
deep, fertile, moist but well-drained
Water
moderate
Hardiness
5-7
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Great yellow gentian root is the key bittering agent in Angostura bitters and many European aperitifs like Suze.
  • The plant can live for over 50 years and may not flower until it is 10 years old.
  • Its deep taproot can extend over 3 feet into the ground, making it nearly impossible to transplant.
  • The genus is named after Gentius, an Illyrian king who supposedly discovered the medicinal properties of gentian root.
  • Great yellow gentian is protected by law in several European countries due to overharvesting for the liqueur industry.

Color meanings

0

intrinsic worth

1

integrity

2

perseverance

Uses

  • medicinal
  • bitters production
  • liqueurs
  • ornamental