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This annual or biennial flower is only found in the UK. It is largely confined to the Chilterns, in fact it is the county flower of Buckinghamshire. It is found on lowland chalk grassland where vegetation is short, particularly where the soil has been disturbed. Occasionally they may be found growing at woodland edges if the soil is right. The species is declining in distribution due to loss of chalk grasslands.
Chiltern gentian prefer chalk downland habitats - patchworks of chalk grassland, heath, scrub and ponds found on chalk hills. Areas of rare and unique wildlife, chalk grasslands, in particular, have been likened to a rainforest for the diversity of species they hold. But they are being lost at an alarming rate due to changes in land use causing the decline of grazing: it's estimated that we've lost 80% of our chalk grassland over the last 60 years. The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland and downland nature reserves for the benefit of the rare wildlife they hold. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from scrub-cutting to stockwatching.
