I was surprised and delighted when I spotted Clustered Summer Gentian in Wenlock Downs, Ooty. Surprised because I had read that they are found only in the Himalayas from Afghanistan to Uttarakhand at altitudes of 2700 to 4300 meters.
The botanical name is Gentiana membranulifera and belongs to Gentianaceae (Gentian) family.
Clustered Summer Gentian is an annual plant that spreads on the ground. The plant has many branches covered with leaves. The leaves are green and sharp curved leaves. Blooming season is from May to August. At the end of the branches, tiny pale blue flowers bloom. Each flower has 5 petals.