Enzian

Gentian, Alpine plant (genera Gentiana and Gentianella) usually with blue or purple blossoms, contorted in the bud; it grows in valleys and up to a height of 3,000 m. Numerous types, e.g. stemless g. (locally known as "Gloggn", "Fingerhut", "Guggerschuh", "Schneller"), broad-leaved g., brevifoliate g. and round-leaved g., spring-blooming g. (locally known as "Himmelsbleaml" in Salzburg; "Schusternagele", "Krahschinkeln" in Tirol; "Guckernagerl" in Styria), dwarf g. (mainly in the Central Alps), snow g. (locally known as "Himmelstengel", "Kälberschiß" and "Vergißmeinnid" in Lower Austria), Pannonian g., willow g. (also called "Glöggelwurz", "Kloawurzen" in Tirol, "Kerzenwurz" in Styria), rough g. (purple or whitish), punctated g. (called "Enziwurzen" in Tirol), Tauernblümerl (also "Saumnarbe", light blue or white, mainly in the Tauern mountains, hence the name, Tauern flower). - The roots of the yellow g. (grows mainly in the limestone areas in the west and south of Austria, up to 140 cm in height) are made into stomachic medicine or are fermented and distilled to produce "G.-Bitter" (schnaps).

All varieties of gentianella (the whole plant) and the small-flower g. (roots) are protected by law.