About Gentiana acaulis L.
Gentiana acaulis L. is a perennial evergreen plant. It reaches heights of up to 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) and forms spreading mats up to 50 centimeters (20 inches) wide. Its leaves grow in a basal rosette that forms clumps; they can be lanceolate, elliptical, or obovate, and measure 2–3.5 centimeters long. The terminal, trumpet-shaped flowers are blue, with olive-green spotted patterns along the length of their throats. Each flower grows on a very short 3–6 centimeter long peduncle. The flower stem often has no leaves, or may bear 1 or 2 pairs of leaves. This species prefers full sun, is fully hardy, and blooms in late spring and summer. The minute single crystals found in its leaves are not true raphides.
