Cicendia

Cicendia is a genus of annual flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae). These small, often overlooked plants are native to Europe and parts of Asia. They are characterized by their diminutive size, typically growing to only a few centimeters in height, and their slender, branching stems.

Cicendia species are typically found in damp, nutrient-poor environments such as sandy heaths, coastal dunes, and disturbed ground. They prefer open, sunny locations.

The leaves of Cicendia are small and opposite, often scale-like. The flowers are tiny and yellow, borne in cymes or solitary at the ends of branches. The corolla is typically four-lobed.

The genus Cicendia contains a small number of species, the exact number depending on taxonomic interpretation. One of the better-known species is Cicendia filiformis.

Due to their small size and specific habitat requirements, Cicendia species can be vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation.