There are many gentians that would be classified as herbaceous perennials, with tall stems and whorls or pairs of flowers, usually trumpet- or bell-shaped. Often these are characteristically gentian blue, but in other cases they can be yellow, purple or white.

Gentiana lutea is the famed yellow gentian of the European Alps. It has whorls of bright yellow starry flowers emerging from leaf axils in the upper parts of the tall stems. It is often found in places where there is plenty of moisture.