Syn.: Tretorhiza cruciata (L.) Delarbre, Ericoila cruciata Borkh., Hippion cruciatum F. W. Schmidt, Gentianusa cruciata Pohl, Pneumonanthe cruciata (L.) Zuev
Family: Gentianaceae Juss.
Distribution: Europe and western Asia, from Spain and Netherlands to Kazakhstan and western Siberia.
Ecology: Grows in dry and sunny meadows and pastures, forest margins and bushes, on limestone soils, from lowlands to mountains. It blooms from July to October.
Description: Perennial herb, 15–45 cm tall. Stem ascending to erect, often purplish. Leaves oblong-ovate, obtuse, 3-veined. Flowers in terminal and axillary clusters, calyx membranous, with irregular teeth, corolla nearly cylindrical, 20–25 mm, 4-lobed, bluish to greenish outside, blue inside. The fruit is a capsule.
Use: It has been used for its healing effects.
Threat and protection: Cross Gentian is protected in Czechia and Hungary.
These images were taken in Czechia, Moravia, Čebínka (July 12, 2003).
