Gentiana acaulis

A perennial of the Gentianaceae family, Gentiana acaulis is a species of the mountains of Central and Southern Europe, found in the Alps, the Apennines, the eastern Pyrenees, and the Carpathians, between 1,500 and 2,800 meters in altitude. It occupies short alpine lawns, rocky slopes, and meadows with acidic or slightly acidic, well-drained soil, in full light.

It forms dense creeping carpets 5 to 10 cm high, consisting of rosettes of oval-elliptical, leathery leaves, with a shiny green, persisting in winter. From each rosette emerge in spring very short stems, almost nonexistent — hence the name acaulis — each bearing a single flower of a size disproportionate to the rest of the plant.

This flower is one of the most intense blues of alpine flora: a deep bell-shaped tube, from azure blue to bright cobalt blue, marked inside with dark green to blackish spots and streaks on a pale blue background, visible when looking into the throat of the corolla. The calyx lobes are erect and well-marked.

In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from May to July depending on altitude. In cultivation, it generally blooms in April-May.

It prefers fresh, humus-rich, well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral, in full sun or light partial shade. It does not tolerate calcareous soils or prolonged drought. Fully hardy.