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Gentiana scabra
  • Long Dan Cao

a perennial member of the Gentiana genus in the family Gentianaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 5
    Zone 5
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Gentiana scabra has 0 edible uses listed
Gentiana scabra has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young plant and old leaves - cooked[1]. A famine food, used when all else fails[2][3].

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Gentiana scabra.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Long Dan Cao is used as a bitter tonic in Chinese herbalism where it promotes digestive secretions and treats a range of illnesses associated with the liver[4][5].

The root is antibacterial and stomachic[6]. It is used in the treatment of anorexia, dyspepsia, jaundice, leucorrhoea, eczema, conjunctivitis, sore throat, acute infection of the urinary system, hypertension with dizziness and tinnitus[6][5]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use.

This species is one of several that are the source of the medicinal gentian root[7], 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[7]. 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[7]. The root is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter tonic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant, stomachic[7][9][10][11][12][13][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[7]. It is quite likely that the roots of plants that have not flowered are the richest in medicinal properties[7].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Anthelmintic
Antiinflammatory
Antiseptic
Bitter
Cholagogue
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Pectoral
Refrigerant
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[14]. 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[14][15]. It is advantageous to keep the seed at about 10°c for a few days after sowing, to enable the seed to imbibe moisture[15]. 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[15]. 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[15]. 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[15]. 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[15]. When the plants are of sufficient size, place them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.

Division in March[16]. 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[15].

Cuttings of basal shoots in late spring[8].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Gentiana scabra. 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[15]. 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[14][15]. Most species will grow well in the rock garden[14]. This species requires a moist well-drained neutral to acid soil[14][8]. Another report says that it is happy in any reasonable soil[15].

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[17]. A very ornamental plant[17].

Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Gentiana scabra. 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 scabra.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Gentiana scabra
Genus
Gentiana
Family
Gentianaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[18][14]
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
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
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
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.3 x 0.2 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bumblebees, Butterflies
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila ISBN 92 9061 120 0 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.514.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.415.515.615.715.815.9 Kohlein. F. Gentians. Christopher Helm. London. ISBN 0-88192-192-0 (1991-00-00)
    16. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    18. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-50

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-58" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

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    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Gentiana_scabra&oldid=77486"
    Facts about "Gentiana scabra"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyGentianaceae +
    Belongs to genusGentiana +
    Has binomial nameGentiana scabra +
    Has common nameLong Dan Cao +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBumblebees + and Butterflies +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageW rindou1111.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.3 +
    Has mature width0.2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Anthelmintic +, Antiinflammatory +, Antiseptic +, Bitter +, Cholagogue +, Emmenagogue +, Expectorant +, Febrifuge +, Pectoral +, Refrigerant +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageW rindou1111.jpg +
    Has search namegentiana scabra + and long dan cao +
    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 scabra +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    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 scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra +, Gentiana scabra + and Gentiana scabra +