GENTIANA ASCLEPIADEA L. – Willow Gentian

Syn.: Pneumonanthe asclepiadea (L.) F. W. Schmidt, Coelanthe asclepiadea Don, Dasystephana asclepiadea (L.) Borkh.
Family: Gentianaceae Juss.

Distribution: Mountains of Southern and Central Europe – from the Pyrenees and Alps through the Western Carpathians to mountains of the Balkan Peninsula.
Habitat: It grows in woods, and along stream banks, from foothills to subalpine zone.
Description: A perennial herb with an erect or arched stem, 30–80 cm high. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate, short-stalked flowers are borne in the upper leaf axils, corolla funnel-shaped, blue, spotted purple within. Flowers from July to September.
Threat and Protection: The Willow Gentian is an endangered and protected plant in some countries (A, CH, CZ, D, I).



Photos: from 13. 7. to 7. 9. 2003 (Czechia, the Hrubý Jeseník, Karlov).