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. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly-drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0