Erect annual or biennial herb to 1 m tall. Leaves ovate to oblong, to 8 cm long. Flowers purple, pink or white, sometimes double or flared, to 7 cm long and 5 cm wide.

S USA, Mexico

Perhaps better known as Lisianthus, this species is available in a wide range of colourful, sometimes double, cultivars.

Especially popular as a florists' flower and used for the formal, opposite, waxy leaves and large bell-shaped flowers in simple colours. Mostly available as the Echo, Double Echo, Heidi, Mermaid and Yodel series.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Gentianaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.