Densely branching annual or brief perennial herb to about 50 cm tall, with branches square in section. Leaves ovate, to about 4 cm long, stalked. Flowers in shades of blue to violet, about 1.5 cm wide with prominent yellow stamens, fragrant. Fruit roundish.

S Yemen

Generally grown in annual bedding schemes.

Several flower colour cultivars and seed mixes are available including E. 'Midget Blue', E. 'Midget White', E. 'Twinkle Blue', E. 'Twinkle Rose' and E. 'Twinkle White'.

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.