About Gentianella cerina (Hook.fil.) T.N.Ho & S.W.Liu
Gentianella cerina has a thick caudex (trunk-like base) that can be either unbranched or branched, and measures 110–200 mm in height. Each individual produces 3–12 flowering stems, which are 1.1–3.1 mm in diameter and can grow from the tip or side of the caudex. Lateral flowering stems grow horizontally before curving upward at their ends, a growth form called decumbent. Its leaves are elliptic, flat, and measure 36.6–53.1 mm long by 8.4–12.6 mm wide, with thickened margins. The leaf tip is rounded, and each leaf has a distinct petiole that measures 11–13 mm long by 4.7–6.3 mm wide. Leaves that grow on flowering stems have the same form as basal leaves, but are smaller in size. Each plant bears 15 to over 100 individual flowers, each measuring 9.9–14.1 mm long. The calyx is 9.3–12.2 mm long, and fine hairs are present at the point where the calyx joins the corolla. The corolla measures 8.4–11.8 mm long, and is white, or tinted red through to purple, with either colorless or purple veins. The corolla tube is 2.1–4.4 mm long, and the corolla lobes measure 6.3–8.8 mm long by 3.8–5.0 mm wide. This species produces yellow pollen, and its stigma is either purple or colorless. Each ovary holds 13–37 ovules, and the mature seed capsule is 6.5–12 mm long. Flowering occurs from December to April.
