Gentiana pannonica, commonly known as Hungarian gentian or brown gentian, is a perennial herb native to the mountainous regions of Central and Eastern Europe, including the Eastern Alps, Bergamasque Alps, Carpathians, and Transylvania. It typically grows 8 to 24 inches tall with upright, strong stems and hairless above-ground parts. Hungarian gentian is characterized by its striking flowers, which appear from July to September. The blooms are radially symmetrical with green fused sepals and bell-shaped corollas that are red and violet with distinctive black and red spots on the outside and a yellowish hue inside, making them quite showy.

This species is valued for its ornamental flowers and is used in rock gardens, alpine collections, and as a border plant in gardens that can replicate its native alpine conditions. It requires well-drained, calcareous soils and prefers full sun to partial shade. While it is relatively low maintenance, it does not tolerate wet soils in the winter. Hungarian gentian is considered "near threatened" due to historical overharvesting for medicinal uses, as it contains bitter compounds that are thought to stimulate digestion. Gardeners should be aware of its conservation status and source plants responsibly.CC BY-SA 4.0