GENTIANA

Common name is Gentian. It was thought to be named after Gentius, King of Illyria (present-day Albania), who was the first to use this plant for medical purposes. The tall gentians used for cut flowers are mostly the Gentiana makinoi cultivar.

Flowers are trumpet-shaped blue or purple. Most of the 400 species gentians are small, short plants including many alpines. The tall varieties used for cutting are principally Gentiana makinoi from Japan especially "Royal Blue" or Gentiana triflora variety "Japonica".

They are available through the summer from June-October, and last for 3-4 weeks.

The roots are used medicinally to treat weak or underactive digestive systems and also as anti-flammatory medicine.

Related Flowers : Antirhinnums or Snapdraggons Flowers Basil Flowers Astrantias or Masterwarts Flowers Bittersweets Flowers Bouvardias Flowers Bluebells Flowers Calla lily or Zantadeschias Flowers Buttercups Flowers Carnations or Dianthus Flowers Cactus Flowers Celosia Flowers