Flower associated with the violet (7)

I believe the answer is:

gentian

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'flower' is the definition.
(I know that gentian is a type of flower)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gentian that I've seen before include "Violet/blue Alpine flower" , "Blue, violet alpine plant" , "Flower - antigen (anag)" , "Kind of violet dye used as antiseptic" , "sort of violet" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app