Gentianella amarella, commonly known as autumn gentian or autumn dwarf gentian, is a biennial herb native to a variety of habitats including alpine and subalpine meadows, grasslands, and open woodlands across the Northern Hemisphere down to Mexico. In its first year, it forms a low rosette of leaves, followed by the development of a flowering stem that can reach 2-20 inches tall in its second year. The plant is notable for its vibrant purple, trumpet-shaped flowers which bloom from July to early October and are particularly showy against the green foliage.

Autumn gentian is valued for its late-season blooms that provide color when many other flowers have faded. It is often used in rock gardens, alpine collections, and as part of naturalistic plantings. This species prefers well-drained, sandy or calcareous soils and can also grow in wet peat or marl soils. It requires full sun to light shade and moderate watering, with drier conditions in winter. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly-drained soils. Autumn gentian is not known for being invasive and does not typically present problems with aggressive roots or diseases.CC BY-SA 4.0