Gentiana lutea, commonly known as Great Yellow Gentian, is a herbaceous perennial native to the mountainous regions of central and southern Europe, including the Alps and the Pyrenees. It thrives in grassy alpine and sub-alpine meadows, often on calcareous soils. The plant typically reaches a height of 3-7 feet tall and is notable for its striking yellow flowers, which bloom in mid to late summer. The flowers are trumpet-shaped, divided into 5-7 narrow lobes, and are arranged in whorls at the axils of the upper leaves. The foliage is lanceolate and arranged in opposite pairs. Great Yellow Gentian’s root system is robust and can delve deep into the rocky subsoil of its native habitat.

The intense bitterness of its root has made Great Yellow Gentian a valuable plant in traditional medicine and the production of herbal bitters. It is also used in the creation of liqueurs such as Salers and Avèze. In cultivation, it requires well-drained soils with a neutral to alkaline pH and can tolerate full sun to part shade. While it is not commonly grown in gardens, its striking appearance and medicinal properties make it an interesting plant for specialized plantings. It is relatively low maintenance but can be slow to establish and may take several years to flower. Potential problems include root rot in poorly drained soils and foliar diseases in humid conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0