Gentiana pannonica
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Gentianaceae
- Genus
- Gentiana
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Bumblebees, Butterflies
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bumblebees, Butterflies
Uses
Edible uses
The root is sometimes used in the manufacture of gentian bitters[5].
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This species is one of several that are the source of the medicinal gentian root[11], the following notes are based on the general uses of G. lutea which is the most commonly used species in the West[K]. Gentian root has a long history of use as a herbal bitter in the treatment of digestive disorders and is an ingredient of many proprietary medicines. It contains some of the most bitter compounds known and is used as a scientific basis for measuring bitterness[8]. It is especially useful in states of exhaustion from chronic disease and in all cases of debility, weakness of the digestive system and lack of appetite[11]. It is one of the best strengtheners of the human system, stimulating the liver, gall bladder and digestive system[8], and is an excellent tonic to combine with a purgative in order to prevent its debilitating effects[11]. The root is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter tonic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant, stomachic[11][12][13][3][7][4][8]. It is taken internally in the treatment of liver complaints, indigestion, gastric infections and anorexia[8]. It should not be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers[8]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[11]. It is quite likely that the roots of plants that have not flowered are the richest in medicinal properties[11].
- Product or use
- Anthelmintic
- Product or use
- Antiinflammatory
- Product or use
- Antiseptic
- Product or use
- Bitter
- Product or use
- Cholagogue
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Refrigerant
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Tonic
Environment
- Range
- C. Europe.
- Habitat
- Meadows and pastures, screes and grassy bottoms of alpine corries, amongst dwarf pine and in forests[9]. It is found on both limestone and acid rocks[9].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[6]. It can also be sown in late winter or early spring but the seed germinates best if given a period of cold stratification and quickly loses viability when stored, with older seed germinating slowly and erratically[6][9]. It is advantageous to keep the seed at about 10°c for a few days after sowing, to enable the seed to imbibe moisture[9]. Following this with a period of at least 5 - 6 weeks with temperatures falling to between 0 and -5°c will usually produce reasonable germination[9]. It is best to use clay pots, since plastic ones do not drain so freely and the moister conditions encourage the growth of moss, which will prevent germination of the seed[9]. The seed should be surface-sown, or only covered with a very light dressing of compost. The seed requires dark for germination, so the pots should be covered with something like newspaper or be kept in the dark[9]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. The seedlings grow on very slowly, taking 2 - 7 years to reach flowering size[9]. When the plants are of sufficient size, place them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division of older plants in March[2][9]. Cuttings of basal shoots in late spring[8].
Cultivation
In general, gentians require a moist well-drained soil in a sheltered position, a certain minimum of atmospheric humidity, high light intensity but a site where temperatures are not too high[9]. They are therefore more difficult to grow in areas with hot summers and in such a region they appreciate some protection from the strongest sunlight[6][9]. Most species will grow well in the rock garden[6]. This species is not particular about soil type, so long as it is deep enough to accommodate the plant's roots[9]. Although sometimes found wild on alkaline soils, it prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil in cultivation[9]. A moisture loving plant, preferring to grow with full exposure to the sun but with plenty of underground moisture in the summer, it grows better in the north and west of Britain[1]. This species is closely related to G. punctata and G. purpurea[9]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[6]. The flowers have the scent of the old tea rose[10].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Kohlein. F. Gentians. Christopher Helm. London. 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-192-0
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2