Great Yellow Gentian

Description:

When flowering, the great yellow gentiane is unmistakable. This very large member of Gentiane family (Gentianaceae) can grow its flower stalks over 120cm in height. The plant has a large leaves basis, where the colossal stalk starts and bear masses of yellow flowers set at intervals on stalks. The Great yellow gentiane flowers lowers are yellow, and have five pointed petals, and they appear between June and August. In Jura range and Alps, you can often see dry stalks of Gentiane (photo 6) - reportedly, they can remain erect and in place for several years after dying.

Habitat:

This untypical gentiane is native to mountainous regions of central Europe, and found in alpine pastures all over Alps and Jura mountains range, up to 2500m of altitude.

Notes:

Even though this gentiane does not really look like "real" gentiane, this member of family is the best known for its medicinal properties - this one is used in the treatment of malarial fever. The interesting story is linked to the name of the gender - it is said to be the tribute to the 2nd century Illyrian king Gentius who first discovered its virtues and treated its troops with it against the plague. The bitter roots of great yellow gentiane are also used in adding flavor to some popular digestive alcoholic drinks (grappa in Italy, lozovaca in Croatia etc)