The genus name is a tribute to Gentius, an Illyrian king who may have been the discoverer of tonic properties in gentians.
In fact, the very name of the genus is derived from Gentius, a king of Illyria who recognized the tonic properties of the plant.
Gentiana lutea, and by extension the Gentiana genus, was named after Gentius, as a tribute as it was thought that he had found out that the herbs had tonic properties.
Gentius |
On that occasion the Ardiaei king Gentius and his family were captivated, marking the establishment of Illyricum.