The Beauty Of Bavarian Gentians: A Visual Guide

The Bavarian gentian, or Gentiana bavarica, is a species of flowering herb in the Gentianaceae family. It is native to the European Alps and typically grows in wet grasslands at high altitudes. The plant grows to a height of 5-15 centimetres, with yellowish-green leaves about 1 cm long. Its flowers are a deep blue colour, about 1-2 centimetres long, and bloom from July to August. The Bavarian gentian was the inspiration for a poem by D.H. Lawrence, titled 'Bavarian Gentians', in which he describes the flower as a blue, forked torch.

Flowers are deep blue, 1-2cm long, with broad spreading lobes

The flowers of the Bavarian gentian, or Gentiana bavarica, are a deep blue colour, with each flower measuring 1-2 centimetres long. They have broad spreading lobes and bloom from July to August. This perennial species of flowering plant is native to the European Alps, where it grows in wet grasslands at elevations of 1,300 to 3,600 metres above sea level.

The plant itself typically grows to a height of 5 to 15 centimetres. It forms a rosette of basal obovate to spathulate yellowish-green leaves, which are about 1 centimetre long.

The striking blue colour of the flowers has inspired poets such as D.H. Lawrence, who titled one of his last poems 'Bavarian Gentians'. In the poem, Lawrence describes the flowers as a "blue, forked torch", illuminating his descent into the underworld. He also compares them to torches of darkness, shedding blue darkness as Demeter's pale lamps give off light.

The imagery of the flowers as torches is a powerful motif in Lawrence's poem, reflecting on the theme of life and death through the contrasting images of light and dark. The deep blue colour of the flowers, which darken and spread "into points", becomes a symbol of the speaker's emotional state and impending mortality.

Thus, the distinctive appearance of the Bavarian gentian, with its deep blue, broad-lobed flowers, has left a lasting impression on artists and writers, becoming a symbol of beauty and inspiration.

Height of 5-15cm

The Bavarian gentian, or Gentiana bavarica, is a herbaceous perennial species of flowering plant in the Gentian family Gentianaceae. It is a relatively small plant, typically growing to a height of 5–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in). This plant forms a rosette of basal obovate to spathulate yellowish-green leaves, about 1 cm long.

The flowers of the Bavarian gentian are deep blue, a striking colour that has inspired poets such as D.H. Lawrence, who described them as a "blue, forked torch" in his poem "Bavarian Gentians". These flowers are 1–2 centimetres (0.39–0.79 in) long, with broad spreading lobes. They bloom from July to August, adding a splash of colour to the wet grasslands that the plant calls home.

Bavarian gentians are native to the European Alps and are typically found at elevations of 1,300–3,600 metres (4,300–11,800 ft) above sea level. They thrive in wet grassland habitats, where their small stature and vibrant blooms add a delicate beauty to the landscape.

The plant's scientific name, Gentiana bavarica, reflects its affiliation with the Gentian family and its origin in Bavaria. The species was first described in 1753, and its unique appearance and preference for high-altitude environments continue to captivate poets and botanists alike.

Native to European Alps

The Bavarian gentian, or Gentiana bavarica, is a herbaceous perennial species of flowering plant native to the European Alps. It is a member of the Gentianaceae family, a group of plants known for their distinctive appearance. Bavarian gentians typically grow to a height of 5–15 centimetres and feature a rosette of basal obovate to spathulate yellowish-green leaves, each about 1 cm long.

The flowers of the Bavarian gentian are a deep blue colour, with broad spreading lobes. They are relatively small, measuring only 1–2 centimetres in length, and bloom from July to August. This plant is typically found in wet grasslands at high elevations of 1,300–3,600 metres above sea level.

The striking appearance of the Bavarian gentian has inspired artists and writers alike. D. H. Lawrence, for example, titled one of his latest poems "Bavarian Gentians". In it, he compares the flower to a blue, forked torch, illuminating his descent into the underworld. Lawrence's poem captures the emotion and gloom of facing his imminent death, using the imagery of the flower's colour and shape to explore the themes of life and death.

The native habitat of the Bavarian gentian in the European Alps provides a stark and beautiful backdrop for this resilient plant. The high elevations and wet grassland conditions create a unique environment that shapes the growth and distribution of this distinctive species of flowering plant.

Blooms from July to August

The Bavarian gentian, or Gentiana bavarica, is a herbaceous perennial species of flowering plant in the Gentian family Gentianaceae. It is a relatively small plant, reaching heights of 5–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in). The plant forms a rosette of basal obovate to spathulate yellowish-green leaves, about 1 cm long. The flowers of the Bavarian gentian are a deep blue colour, 1–2 centimetres (0.39–0.79 in) long, with broad spreading lobes.

The Bavarian gentian is native to the European Alps and is typically found in wet grasslands at elevations of 1,300–3,600 metres (4,300–11,800 ft) above sea level. It is a herbaceous perennial, meaning it can live for more than two years and does not have a woody stem. The plant was first described in 1753 and was named by Carl Linnaeus.

The striking appearance of the Bavarian gentian has even inspired poetry. D.H. Lawrence, one of the most renowned writers of the twentieth century, wrote a poem titled "Bavarian Gentians". In it, he likens the flower to a "blue, forked torch", using it as a symbol of light in the face of death. Lawrence wrote the poem while recuperating in the Bavarian Alps, where he was inspired by the sight of the deep blue flowers.

Inspired D.H. Lawrence's poem 'Bavarian Gentians'

D.H. Lawrence's poem 'Bavarian Gentians' is inspired by the deep blue, tubular flowers of the same name. The poem was written in September 1929, when Lawrence was recuperating in the Bavarian Alps, and was published posthumously in 1932 as part of 'Last Poems'.

The poem is a contemplation of death and desire, and the relationship between myth and biography. At the time of writing, Lawrence knew he was dying, having been diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1925. The poem is a remarkable achievement in the history of twentieth-century verse, with its undulating lines and rhythmic repetition, variation and assonance.

The blue flowers of the Bavarian gentian are described as 'torch-like', with a 'blaze of darkness' and 'smoking blueness', and are used as a metaphor for illumination in the face of death. The imagery of torches and lamps is repeated throughout the poem, with references to the underworld and the gods Pluto and Persephone. The speaker of the poem asks to be given a 'blue, forked torch' of the flower to guide them down the 'darker and darker stairs' of the underworld.

The poem also explores the relationship between death and desire, with references to sexual violence and masochistic pleasure. The speaker imagines Persephone, the Greek goddess of spring and queen of the underworld, being ravished by Pluto, the god of the underworld. The poem ends with an image of the lost bride and groom, shedding 'darkness on the lost bride and her groom'.

The Bavarian gentian's flowers are described as 'big and dark', and the poem captures the sense of the flower's darkening presence in the daytime. The poem's imagery and symbolism are made more powerful by the knowledge of what a Bavarian gentian looks like, with its deep blue, tubular flowers reaching a height of 5-15 centimetres.

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