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Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Gentiana andrewsii.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Gentiana andrewsii.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is said to be an antidote to snakebites[1][2].

An infusion of the roots has been used as a wash and also taken internally in the treatment of pain and headaches[3]. An infusion of the roots has been used as drops for sore eyes[3].

This N. American species has medicinal properties practically identical with the European gentians[4]. 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[5]. 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[4]. It is one of the best strengtheners of the human system, stimulating the liver, gall bladder and digestive system[5], and is an excellent tonic to combine with a purgative in order to prevent its debilitating effects[4]. The root is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter tonic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant, stomachic[4][6][7][8][9][10][5]. It is taken internally in the treatment of liver complaints, indigestion, gastric infections and anorexia[5]. It should not be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers[5]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[4]. It is quite likely that the roots of plants that have not flowered are the richest in medicinal properties[4].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in early January in a light position in a cold frame[11]. 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[12][11]. It is advantageous to keep the seed at about 10°c for a few days after sowing, to enable the seed to imbibe moisture[11]. 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[11]. 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[11]. 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[11]. 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[11]. When the plants are of sufficient size, place them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.

Division in March[13]. Most members of this genus have either a single tap-root, or a compact root system united in a single root head, and are thus unsuitable for division[11].

Cuttings of basal shoots in late spring[5].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Gentiana andrewsii. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



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[11]. 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[12][11]. Most species will grow well in the rock garden[12]. This species is fairly easy to grow, succeeding in most humus-rich soils[11]. It tolerates more shade (but not full shade) than most members of the genus, growing well in a woodland garden[12][11].

Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[12].

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[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Gentiana andrewsii. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Gentiana andrewsii.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Gentiana andrewsii
Genus
Gentiana
Family
Gentianaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.6 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    11. ? 11.0011.0111.0211.0311.0411.0511.0611.0711.0811.0911.1011.11 Kohlein. F. Gentians. Christopher Helm. London. ISBN 0-88192-192-0 (1991-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    13. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    14. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    15. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

    "image:Closed Bottle Gentian.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Gentiana andrewsii"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyGentianaceae +
    Belongs to genusGentiana +
    Has binomial nameGentiana andrewsii +
    Has common nameClosed Bottle Gentian +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeBumblebees + and Butterflies +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageClosed Bottle Gentian.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has mature width0.3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntidote +, Appetizer +, Bitter +, Digestive +, Ophthalmic +, Poultice +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageClosed Bottle Gentian.jpg +
    Has search namegentiana andrewsii + and closed bottle gentian +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameGentiana andrewsii +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Gentiana andrewsii +, Gentiana andrewsii +, Gentiana andrewsii +, Gentiana andrewsii +, Gentiana andrewsii +, Gentiana andrewsii +, Gentiana andrewsii + and Gentiana andrewsii +