Gentianella anglica ssp Anglica
Early Gentian

Gentianella anglica
©John Shackles /Plantlife

This little plant has beautiful purple flowers up the stem and small pointed leaves below. It is only found in England, and favours open grassy places and light, warm soils, usually limestone but occasionally sandy.

Land seizure for arable farming or tourist development is a principal cause of this gentian’s decline; the other is the encroachment of scrub and trees through loss of grazing. Fortunately several of its sites are in areas that are already protected.

Protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.