Willow gentianGentiana asclepiadea

Gentiana asclepiadea, commonly called the willow gentian, is a striking wildflower native to central and eastern Europe and the Caucasus. It is set apart by clusters of deep cobalt-blue, trumpet-shaped flowers with slightly flared mouths and narrow, opposite leaves that resemble those of a willow—hence the common name. Blooming in late summer into autumn, its long tubular flowers are adapted for long-tongued pollinators (notably bumblebees), and it naturally favors shaded woodland edges and mountain clearings. The species epithet asclepiadea alludes to a perceived likeness to plants in the milkweed group, underscoring how its form caught early botanists’ attention.

Scientific Name

Gentiana asclepiadea

Family

Gentianaceae

Order

Gentianales

Lifespan

Perennial

Blossom Color

Blue

Blossom Symmetry

Radial