The Alpine gentian is a perennial herb that grows to only 8 centimetres (3 in).

The dark blue crown is an inverted cone with a length of 40 to 70 millimetres (1.6 to 2.8 in).

In the Alps, G. alpina typically occur in the Caricion curvulae plant association.

[2] Adolf von Kleebsattel created the song „Blau blüht der Enzian“, which became a bestseller thanks to performances by the musician Heino.

The song provided the title of a feature film: Blue Blooms the Gentian.