Perennial of the Gentianaceae family, this gentian is native to the western Himalayas, Tibet, and adjacent regions, where it grows in alpine meadows and rocky slopes at altitudes between approximately 3,500 and 5,000 meters.
It forms low and upright clumps, reaching 15 to 25 cm in height, with slender stems bearing narrow, bright green linear-lanceolate leaves arranged in opposite pairs along the stem.
The flowers, gathered in small dense terminal capitula, are a pale lilac blue to periwinkle blue, with a short tube and widely spread lobes, giving them a more open appearance than many Asian gentians. The inside of the tube features well-visible pale yellow spots and punctuations, an immediately observable distinctive characteristic. The stems can take on a reddish to purple hue, contrasting with the fresh green foliage.
In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from July to September. In cultivation, it blooms in August-September.
It belongs to the group of Asian autumn gentians with a reputation for delicate cultivation: it requires acidic, humus-rich soil, constantly cool but well-drained, in a semi-shaded exposure. It is willingly cultivated in pots or containers, in a lightened peat mix.