Gentian refers to a group of flowering plants known for their intensely blue blossoms, though some species bloom in purple, yellow, or white. These flowers grow wild in mountain meadows and alpine regions around the world, particularly in Europe and Asia. One famous species, the Alpine gentian, produces such a vivid, pure blue that artists and poets have written about it for centuries.

Gentian plants typically bloom in late summer or early autumn, often in harsh mountain conditions where few other flowers can survive. Their deep blue petals stand out brilliantly against rocky slopes and green grass. The flowers close up at night and on cloudy days, then reopen when the sun shines.

The roots of gentian plants taste extremely bitter and have been used in medicines and tonics for thousands of years. Some European soft drinks and liqueurs use gentian root as a flavoring, though you'd probably find the taste very strange if you tried it. The word can also describe a particular shade of blue, the color of the flower itself: a deep, vibrant blue that seems almost impossibly bright.