Gentiana purpurea ('Purple Gentian') is a plant of genus Gentiana.

Gentiana purpurea ('Purple Gentian')

In the absolute silence a purple gentian in the gar- den catches the light on the underside of its blossom, glows for a moment, then dis- solves among the other flowers.

Less commonly, the roots from other flowers from the Gentian genus are used, such as the Purple Gentian, Brown Gentian, or Spotted Gentian.

The books also feature several different romantic adventures detailing the exploits of the fictional Purple Gentian, the Pink Carnation, the Black Tulip, and a host of other characters from early 19th century England and France.

In addition, a series of novels by Lauren Willig, beginning with The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (2005), chronicle the adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel's associates, including the Purple Gentian (alias of Lord Richard Selwick), spies in the Napoleonic era.