Gentiana
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''Gentiana'' is a
genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...
s belonging to the gentian
family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
(
Gentianaceae Gentianaceae is a family of flowering plants of 103 genera and about 1600 species. Etymology The family takes its name from the genus '' Gentiana'', named after the Illyrian king Gentius. Distribution Distribution is cosmopolitan. Characteri ...
), the tribe Gentianeae, and the
monophyletic In cladistics for a group of organisms, monophyly is the condition of being a clade—that is, a group of taxa composed only of a common ancestor (or more precisely an ancestral population) and all of its lineal descendants. Monophyletic gro ...
subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400
species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostly large, trumpet-shaped flowers, which are often of an intense blue. The genus name is a tribute to
Gentius Gentius ( grc, Γένθιος, "Génthios"; 181168 BC) was an Illyrian king who belonged to the Labeatan dynasty. He ruled in 181–168 BC, being the last attested Illyrian king. He was the son of Pleuratus III, a king who kept positive relati ...
, an Illyrian king who may have been the discoverer of tonic properties in gentians.


Habitat

This is a cosmopolitan genus, occurring in
alpine Alpine may refer to any mountainous region. It may also refer to: Places Europe * Alps, a European mountain range ** Alpine states, which overlap with the European range Australia * Alpine, New South Wales, a Northern Village * Alpine National Pa ...
habitats in
temperate In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...
regions of Asia, Europe and the Americas. Some species also occur in northwestern Africa, eastern Australia, and New Zealand. They are annual, biennial, and perennial plants. Some are evergreen, others are not. Many gentians are difficult to grow outside their wild habitat, but several species are available in cultivation. Gentians are fully hardy and can grow in full sun or partial shade. They grow in well-drained, neutral-to-acid soils rich in
humus In classical soil science, humus is the dark organic matter in soil that is formed by the decomposition of plant and animal matter. It is a kind of soil organic matter. It is rich in nutrients and retains moisture in the soil. Humus is the Lati ...
. They are popular in rock gardens.


Uses

Many beverages are made with gentian root. ''
Gentiana lutea ''Gentiana lutea'', the great yellow gentian, is a species of gentian native to the mountains of central and southern Europe. Growth ''Gentiana lutea'' is an herbaceous perennial plant, growing to tall, with broad lanceolate to elliptic leave ...
'' is used to produce ''gentian'', a
distilled beverage Liquor (or a spirit) is an alcoholic drink produced by distillation of grains, fruits, vegetables, or sugar, that have already gone through alcoholic fermentation. Other terms for liquor include: spirit drink, distilled beverage or hard li ...
produced in the
Alps The Alps () ; german: Alpen ; it, Alpi ; rm, Alps ; sl, Alpe . are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately across seven Alpine countries (from west to east): France, Sw ...
and in the
Auvergne Auvergne (; ; oc, label=Occitan, Auvèrnhe or ) is a former administrative region in central France, comprising the four departments of Allier, Puy-de-Dôme, Cantal and Haute-Loire. Since 1 January 2016, it has been part of the new region Auverg ...
. Some species are harvested for the manufacture of apéritifs,
liqueur A liqueur (; ; ) is an alcoholic drink composed of spirits (often rectified spirit) and additional flavorings such as sugar, fruits, herbs, and spices. Often served with or after dessert, they are typically heavily sweetened and un-aged beyond ...
s, and tonics. Gentian root is a common beverage flavouring for
bitters Bitters (plural also ''bitters'') is traditionally an alcoholic preparation flavored with botanical matter for a bitter or bittersweet flavor. Originally, numerous longstanding brands of bitters were developed as patent medicines, but now are ...
. The
soft drink A soft drink (see § Terminology for other names) is a drink that usually contains water (often carbonated), a sweetener, and a natural and/or artificial flavoring. The sweetener may be a sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, fruit juice, a su ...
Moxie Moxie is a brand of carbonated beverage that is among the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. It was created around 1876 by Augustin Thompson as a patent medicine called "Moxie Nerve Food" and was produced in Lowell, Massac ...
contains gentian root. The French apéritif Suze is made with gentian. Americano apéritifs contain gentian root for bitter flavoring. It is an ingredient in the Italian liqueur
Aperol Aperol is an Italian bitter apéritif made of gentian, rhubarb and cinchona, among other ingredients. It has a vibrant orange hue. Its name comes from ''apero'', an Italian slang word for apéritif (''aperitivo''). History Aperol was original ...
. It is also used as the main flavor in the German after-dinner digestif called
Underberg Underberg is a digestif bitter produced at Rheinberg in Germany by Underberg AG. It is made from aromatic herbs from 43 countries that undergo inspections and are formulated based on a secret recipe of the Underberg family, whose members are p ...
, and the main ingredient in
Angostura bitters Angostura bitters () is a concentrated bitters (herbal alcoholic preparation) based on gentian, herbs, and spices, by House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago. It is typically used for flavouring beverages or, less often, food. The bitters we ...
and
Peychaud's Bitters Peychaud's Bitters is a bitters distributed by the American Sazerac Company. It was originally created between 1849 and 1857 by Antoine Amédée Peychaud, a Creole apothecary from the French colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) who traveled ...
. The bitter principle of gentian root is primarily gentiopicrin (also called gentiopicroside), a
glycoside In chemistry, a glycoside is a molecule in which a sugar is bound to another functional group via a glycosidic bond. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms. Many plants store chemicals in the form of inactive glycosides. ...
. A 2007 paper by a Japanese group identified 23 compounds in fresh gentian root. Gentiopicrin was absent from fresh root, so it possibly develops during drying and storage of the root. Gentian has had a limited use in perfumery, most notably as a glycerine soap (Crabtree & Evelyn) and a perfume (Corday's Possession, 1937).


Pharmacological uses

Great yellow gentian (''Gentiana lutea'') is used in
herbal medicine Herbal medicine (also herbalism) is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants, which are a basis of traditional medicine. With worldwide research into pharmacology, some herbal medicines have been translated into modern remed ...
for digestive problems, fever,
hypertension Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long-term high bl ...
,
muscle spasm A spasm is a sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ such as the bladder. A spasmodic muscle contraction may be caused by many medical conditions, including dystonia. Most commonly, it is a muscl ...
s,
parasitic worm Parasitic worms, also known as helminths, are large macroparasites; adults can generally be seen with the naked eye. Many are intestinal worms that are soil-transmitted and infect the gastrointestinal tract. Other parasitic worms such as sc ...
s, wounds, cancer, sinusitis, and
malaria Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...
, although studies have shown minimal efficacy beyond that of a
placebo A placebo ( ) is a substance or treatment which is designed to have no therapeutic value. Common placebos include inert tablets (like sugar pills), inert injections (like Saline (medicine), saline), sham surgery, and other procedures. In general ...
with regard to the treatment of anxiety and ADHD in children. It has been studied and proven in effectively managing
dyspepsia Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or upset stomach, is a condition of impaired digestion. Symptoms may include upper abdominal fullness, heartburn, nausea, belching, or upper abdominal pain. People may also experience feeling full earlier t ...
. ''Gentiana punctata'' leaves and roots have been used in traditional Austrian medicine internally and externally as liqueur or tea for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, skin, locomotor system, liver and bile, and for pediatric problems, fever, flu, rheumatism, and gout. ''
Gentiana purpurea ''Gentiana purpurea'', the purple gentian, is a plant species in the genus ''Gentiana ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentian ...
'', ''
Gentiana punctata ''Gentiana punctata'', the spotted gentian, is a least concern herbaceous species of flowering plant in the Gentian family Gentianaceae. It grows in Central and Southeastern Europe Southeast Europe or Southeastern Europe (SEE) is a geographic ...
'', and ''
Gentiana pannonica ''Gentiana pannonica'', the Hungarian gentian or brown gentian (german: Ostalpen-Enzian, ''Pannonischer Enzian'', ''Ungarischer Enzian'' or ''Ungarn-Enzian''), is a species of flowering plant of the genus ''Gentiana'' in the family of Gentianacea ...
'' are used to produce bitter schnapps, traditionally used as a digestive aid. In
Ayurvedic medicine Ayurveda () is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. The theory and practice of Ayurveda is pseudoscientific. Ayurveda is heavily practiced in India and Nepal, where around 80% of the population rep ...
the endangered Indian gentian '' Gentiana kurroo'' has been used as a medical herb, but has been replaced with the Himalayan plant ''
Picrorhiza kurroa ''Picrorhiza kurroa'' is one of the major income generating non-timber forest products found in the Nepalese Himalayas. It is one of the oldest medicinal plants traded from the Karnali zone. Known as kutki or कुटकी in Nepali, it is a pe ...
'', Plantaginaceae or ''
Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora ''Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora'' belongs to family Scrophulariaceae. It is used heavily as a substitute for ''Picrorhiza kurroa'' and is considered non-threatened under CITES. It is similar to ''P. kurrooa'' but has leaves up to 6cm long and ste ...
'' (胡黃蓮 Hú Huáng Lián) from
traditional Chinese medicine Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative medical practice drawn from traditional medicine in China. It has been described as "fraught with pseudoscience", with the majority of its treatments having no logical mechanism of action ...
.


Symbolism

The gentian flower was used as the emblem of the
Minamoto clan was one of the surnames bestowed by the Emperors of Japan upon members of the imperial family who were excluded from the line of succession and demoted into the ranks of the nobility from 1192 to 1333. The practice was most prevalent during the ...
, one of the four great clans that dominated Japanese politics during the
Heian period The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period, beginning when the 50th emperor, Emperor Kanmu, moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto). means "peace" in Japanese. ...
and went on to establish the first Shogunate in the aftermath of the
Genpei War The was a national civil war between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the late Heian period of Japan. It resulted in the downfall of the Taira and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto no Yoritomo, who appointed himself ...
. It is the official flower of the
German-speaking community of Belgium The German-speaking Community (german: links=no, Deutschsprachige Gemeinschaft, or DG; french: links=no, Communauté germanophone; nl, links=no, Duitstalige Gemeenschap), since 2017 also known as East Belgium (german: links=no, Ostbelgien), is ...
.


Species


General

Gentians have oppositely arranged leaves, sometimes in a basal rosette. The trumpet-shaped
flower A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechani ...
s are usually deep blue or azure, but can be white, cream, yellow, or red. Many species are polymorphic with respect to flower color, bearing flowers of different colors. Blue-flowered species predominate in the Northern Hemisphere, with red-flowered species dominant in the
Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
, where
bird pollination Ornithophily or bird pollination is the pollination of flowering plants by birds. This sometimes (but not always) coevolutionary association is derived from insect pollination (entomophily) and is particularly well developed in some parts of the w ...
is probably more often favored by natural selection. White-flowered species are scattered throughout the range of the genus but dominate in New Zealand. Most flowers are pentamerous, with five lobes in the corolla and five
sepal A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coined b ...
s. A few species have four to seven flower parts. The corolla has folds called plicae between the lobes. The
style Style is a manner of doing or presenting things and may refer to: * Architectural style, the features that make a building or structure historically identifiable * Design, the process of creating something * Fashion, a prevailing mode of clothing ...
is short or absent. The ovary is mostly sessile and has nectary glands.


List of accepted species

*''
Gentiana acaulis ''Gentiana acaulis'', the stemless gentian, or trumpet gentian, is a species of flowering plant in the family Gentianaceae, native to central and southern Europe, from Spain east to the Balkans, growing especially in mountainous regions, such as ...
'' – stemless gentian *'' Gentiana affinis'' – pleated gentian *'' Gentiana alata'' *'' Gentiana alba'' – plain gentian *'' Gentiana albicalyx'' *'' Gentiana albomarginata'' *''
Gentiana algida ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' – whitish gentian *'' Gentiana alii'' *''
Gentiana alpina ''Gentiana alpina'' (commonly Alpine gentian) is a plant species from the ''Gentiana'' genus in the family Gentianaceae. Description Vegetative features The Alpine gentian is a perennial herb that grows to only . The opposite leaves are crowded ...
'' – alpine gentian *'' Gentiana alsinoides'' *'' Gentiana altigena'' *''
Gentiana altorum ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' *'' Gentiana amplicrater'' *'' Gentiana andrewsii'' – closed bottle gentian *'' Gentiana angustifolia'' *'' Gentiana anisostemon'' *''
Gentiana aperta ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana apiata'' *''
Gentiana aquatica ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana arenicola'' *'' Gentiana arethusae'' *''
Gentiana argentea ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' *''
Gentiana arisanensis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana aristata'' *''
Gentiana asclepiadea ''Gentiana asclepiadea'', the willow gentian, is a species of flowering plant of the genus ''Gentiana'' in the family Gentianaceae, native to central and eastern Europe from primarily mountain (montane) woodland though it does occur in less woode ...
'' – willow gentian *'' Gentiana asterocalyx'' *'' Gentiana atlantica'' *'' Gentiana atuntsiensis'' *''
Gentiana austromontana ''Gentiana austromontana'', the Appalachian gentian, is a tall flowering plant in the Gentianaceae family. It is native to the southern Appalachians of West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Very similar to ''Gentiana clausa ' ...
'' – Appalachian gentian *'' Gentiana autumnalis'' – pinebarren gentian *''
Gentiana axilliflora ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana baeuerlenii'' (N.S.W) *'' Gentiana bambuseti'' *'' Gentiana bavarica'' – Bavarian gentian *'' Gentiana beamanii'' *'' Gentiana bella'' *'' Gentiana bicuspidata'' *'' Gentiana boissieri'' *''
Gentiana bokorensis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their m ...
'' *'' Gentiana borneensis'' *''
Gentiana boryi ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' *'' Gentiana brachyphylla'' *''
Gentiana bredboensis ''Gentiana bredboensis'' commonly known as Bredbo gentian, is a flowering plant in the family Gentianaceae and is endemism, endemic to New South Wales. It is a small annual herb with white flowers. Description ''Gentiana bredboensis'' is an annu ...
'' (N.S.W.) *'' Gentiana bryoides'' *''
Gentiana burseri ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana cachemirica ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' *'' Gentiana caelestis'' *'' Gentiana caeruleogrisea'' *'' Gentiana caliculata'' *'' Gentiana calycosa'' – Rainier pleated gentian *''
Gentiana capitata ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana carinata ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana carinicostata ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana caryophyllea ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana catesbaei ''Gentiana catesbaei'', commonly called Elliot's gentian, American gentian, or bottle gentian, is a wildflower native to the eastern North America. It grows in the swampy areas from Virginia to Florida and has showy, pale blue flowers which appea ...
'' – Elliott's gentian *''
Gentiana cephalantha ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana cephalodes'' *'' Gentiana chateri'' *'' Gentiana chinensis'' *'' Gentiana choanantha'' *''
Gentiana chosenica ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana chungtienensis'' *''
Gentiana clarkei ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana clausa'' – bottled gentian *''
Gentiana clusii ''Gentiana clusii'', commonly known as flower of the sweet-lady or Clusius' gentian, is a large-flowered, short-stemmed gentian, native to Europe. It is named after Carolus Clusius, one of the earliest botanists to study alpine flora. Descriptio ...
'' – trumpet gentian *'' Gentiana confertifolia'' *'' Gentiana coronata'' *''
Gentiana crassa ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' *''
Gentiana crassicaulis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana crassula'' *''
Gentiana crassuloides ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' *'' Gentiana cristata'' *''
Gentiana cruciata ''Gentiana cruciata'', the star gentian or cross gentian, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the Gentianaceae family. Description ''Gentiana cruciata'' is a hemicryptophyte scapose plant of small size, reaching on average in height ...
'' – cross gentian *'' Gentiana cruttwellii'' *''
Gentiana cuneibarba ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' *''
Gentiana dahurica ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' *''
Gentiana damyonensis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' *'' Gentiana davidii'' *''
Gentiana decemfida ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' *'' Gentiana decora'' – showy gentian *'' Gentiana decorata'' *'' Gentiana decumbens'' *'' Gentiana delavayi'' *'' Gentiana deltoidea'' *''
Gentiana dendrologii ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana densiflora ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana depressa'' *'' Gentiana dinarica'' *''
Gentiana divaricata ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' *''
Gentiana diversifolia ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' *'' Gentiana douglasiana'' – swamp gentian *''
Gentiana doxiongshangensis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana dschungarica'' *'' Gentiana duclouxii'' *'' Gentiana durangensis'' *'' Gentiana ecaudata'' *'' Gentiana elmeriana'' *'' Gentiana elwesii'' *'' Gentiana emodi'' *''
Gentiana ettingshausenii ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana exigua ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana expansa ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana faucipilosa ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana fieldiana ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana filistyla ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana flavomaculata ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' *'' Gentiana flexicaulis'' *''
Gentiana formosa ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' *'' Gentiana forrestii'' *''
Gentiana franchetiana ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''
Gentiana fremontii ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' – moss gentian *''
Gentiana frigida ''Gentiana frigida'' is a small flowering plant of the genus ''Gentiana'', native to the Carpathian Mountains and eastern Alps The Alps () ; german: Alpen ; it, Alpi ; rm, Alps ; sl, Alpe . are the highest and most extensive mountain r ...
'' *'' Gentiana froelichii'' – Karawanken gentian *'' Gentiana futtereri'' *''
Gentiana gelida ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' *'' Gentiana gentilis'' *'' Gentiana georgei'' *''
Gentiana gilvostriata ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana glauca ''Gentiana glauca'' is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family known by the common names pale gentian and glaucous gentian. It is native to eastern Asia and northwestern North America from Alaska to the Northwest Territories to Washin ...
'' – pale gentian *''
Gentiana grandiflora ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana grata'' *''
Gentiana grumii ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana gyirongensis'' *'' Gentiana handeliana'' *'' Gentiana haraldi-smithii'' *'' Gentiana harrowiana'' *''
Gentiana haynaldii ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana heleonastes'' *'' Gentiana helophila'' *'' Gentiana hesseliana'' *'' Gentiana hexaphylla'' *'' Gentiana himalayensis'' *'' Gentiana hirsuta'' *'' Gentiana hohoxiliensis'' *''
Gentiana hooperi ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana hugelii'' *'' Gentiana huxleyi'' *''
Gentiana infelix ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana intricata'' *'' Gentiana Inverleith'' *'' Gentiana jamesii'' *''
Gentiana jarmilae ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
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Gentiana jingdongensis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana jouyana ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
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Gentiana kaohsiungensis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana kauffmanniana'' *'' Gentiana khammouanensis'' *'' Gentiana kurroo'' *''
Gentiana kwangsiensis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' *'' Gentiana lacerulata'' *'' Gentiana laevigata'' *''
Gentiana langbianensis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana lateriflora'' *'' Gentiana lawrencii'' *'' Gentiana laxiflora'' *''
Gentiana leptoclada ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
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Gentiana leroyana ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana leucomelaena ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana lhassica ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana liangshanensis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana licentii'' *'' Gentiana ligustica'' *'' Gentiana linearis'' – narrowleaf gentian *''
Gentiana lineolata ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' *'' Gentiana linoides'' *''
Gentiana loerzingii ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana longicollis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana loureiroi'' *''
Gentiana lowryi ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana lutea ''Gentiana lutea'', the great yellow gentian, is a species of gentian native to the mountains of central and southern Europe. Growth ''Gentiana lutea'' is an herbaceous perennial plant, growing to tall, with broad lanceolate to elliptic leave ...
'' – great yellow gentian *'' Gentiana lycopodioides'' *''
Gentiana macrophylla ''Gentiana macrophylla'', the large leaf gentian, is called qin jiao(秦艽) in Chinese. Synonyms include ''G. straminea'', ''G. crassiaulisor'', and ''G. dahurica''. It is found in China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia. Chemistry Chemical c ...
'' – bigleaf gentian *''
Gentiana makinoi ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' *'' Gentiana microdonta'' *''
Gentiana newberryi ''Gentiana newberryi'' is a species of gentian known by the common names alpine gentian and Newberry's gentian. It is a perennial herb found in western North America. Distribution The plant is native to California and Oregon. Its habitat is wet ...
'' – Newberry's gentian *'' Gentiana nipponica'' *'' Gentiana nivalis'' – snow gentian *'' Gentiana nubigena'' *''
Gentiana ochroleuca ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their m ...
'' *'' Gentiana olgae'' *''
Gentiana olivieri ''Gentiana olivieri'' (Chinese: xie wan que qin jiao) is a plant species in the genus ''Gentiana ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtr ...
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Gentiana orbicularis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' – round leaved gentian *'' Gentiana ornata'' *''
Gentiana pannonica ''Gentiana pannonica'', the Hungarian gentian or brown gentian (german: Ostalpen-Enzian, ''Pannonischer Enzian'', ''Ungarischer Enzian'' or ''Ungarn-Enzian''), is a species of flowering plant of the genus ''Gentiana'' in the family of Gentianacea ...
'' – brown gentian *'' Gentiana paradoxa'' *'' Gentiana parryi'' – Parry's gentian *'' Gentiana pedicellata'' *'' Gentiana pennelliana'' – wiregrass gentian *'' Gentiana phyllocalyx'' *'' Gentiana platypetala'' – broadpetal gentian *''
Gentiana plurisetosa ''Gentiana plurisetosa'' is a rare species of Gentiana, known by the common names Klamath gentian and bristly gentian. It is native to southern Oregon and northern California, where it is an uncommon resident of wet mountain habitat. This is a ...
'' – bristly gentian *''
Gentiana pneumonanthe ''Gentiana pneumonanthe'', the marsh gentian, is a species of the genus ''Gentiana ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. ...
'' – marsh gentian *''
Gentiana prolata ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their most ...
'' *'' Gentiana prostrata'' – pygmy gentian *''
Gentiana przewalskii ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana pterocalyx'' *''
Gentiana puberulenta ''Gentiana puberulenta'', the downy gentian, is a branchless perennial plant of the Gentianaceae family native to North America. It is about ¾–1½' tall, with bright blue to deep blue-violet bell-shaped, upright, five-lobed flowers measuring 1 ...
'' – downy gentian *''
Gentiana pumila ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana punctata ''Gentiana punctata'', the spotted gentian, is a least concern herbaceous species of flowering plant in the Gentian family Gentianaceae. It grows in Central and Southeastern Europe Southeast Europe or Southeastern Europe (SEE) is a geographic ...
'' – spotted gentian *''
Gentiana purpurea ''Gentiana purpurea'', the purple gentian, is a plant species in the genus ''Gentiana ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentian ...
'' – purple gentian *'' Gentiana pyrenaica'' *'' Gentiana quadrifolia'' *''
Gentiana rigescens ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana rostanii ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana rubricaulis ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (biology), family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the Monophyly, monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. The ...
'' – closed gentian *'' Gentiana saponaria'' – harvestbells gentian *''
Gentiana saxosa ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
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Gentiana scabra ''Gentiana scabra'', the Japanese gentian, is a species of flowering plant in the Gentian family (Gentianaceae), found in much of East Asia. The flowers bloom in mid-summer, autumn and are blue or dark blue in color. Medicinal use ''Gentiana sca ...
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Gentiana scarlatina ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *'' Gentiana sceptrum'' – king's scepter gentian *''
Gentiana sedifolia ''Gentiana sedifolia'' is a species of plant in the family Gentianaceae. It can be found from Costa Rica to northern Chile. Description Small herbs with narrow, opposite leaves; leaves up to 0.7 cm long. Small funnel shaped flowers up to 1& ...
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Gentiana septemfida ''Gentiana septemfida'', the crested gentian or summer gentian, is a species of flowering plant in the family Gentianaceae, native to the Caucasus and Turkey. It is a low-growing herbaceous perennial growing to tall by wide, bearing up to eight ...
'' – crested gentian *'' Gentiana setigera'' – Mendocino gentian *''
Gentiana setulifolia ''Gentiana'' is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostl ...
'' *''Gentiana sikkimensis'' *''Gentiana sikokiana'' *''Gentiana sino-ornata'' – showy Chinese gentian *''Gentiana siphonantha'' *''Gentiana speciosa'' *''Gentiana squarrosa'' *''Gentiana stictantha'' *''Gentiana stragulata'' *''Gentiana straminea'' *''Gentiana tenuifolia'' *''Gentiana terglouensis'' – Triglav gentian *''Gentiana ternifolia'' *''Gentiana tianshanica'' – Tienshan gentian *''Gentiana trichotoma'' *''Gentiana triflora'' *''Gentiana trinervis'' *''Gentiana tubiflora'' *''Gentiana uchiyamai'' *''Gentiana ulmeri'' *''Gentiana uniflora'' *''Gentiana urnula'' *''Gentiana utriculosa'' – bladder gentian *''Gentiana vandellioides'' *''Gentiana vandewateri'' *''Gentiana veitchiorum'' *''Gentiana venosa'' *''Gentiana venusta'' *''Gentiana verna'' – spring gentian *''Gentiana vernayi'' *''Gentiana viatrix'' *''Gentiana villifera'' *''Gentiana villosa'' – striped gentian *''Gentiana waltonii'' *''Gentiana walujewii'' *''Gentiana wangchukii'' *''Gentiana wasenensis'' *''Gentiana wilsonii'' *''Gentiana winchuanensis'' *''Gentiana wingecarribiensis'' (N.S.W.) *''Gentiana wissmannii'' (N.S.W) *''Gentiana wootchuliana'' – Korean alpine gentian *''Gentiana xanthonannos'' *''Gentiana yakushimensis'' *''Gentiana yokusai'' *''Gentiana yunnanensis'' *''Gentiana zekuensis'' *''Gentiana zollingeri''


Formerly placed here

*''Gentianopsis crinita'' (fringed gentian), as ''Gentiana crinita''


Cultivation

Several gentian species may be found in cultivation, and are valued for the unusual intensity of their blue flowers. They have a reputation for being difficult to grow. All require similar conditions – moist, rich, free-draining soil with an acid to neutral pH. They include: *Gentiana acaulis, ''G. acaulis'' *Gentiana asclepiadea, ''G. asclepiadea'' *Gentiana paradoxa, ''G. paradoxa'' *Gentiana septemfida, ''G. septemfida'' *Gentiana sino-ornata, ''G. sino-ornata'' In addition, the following cultivars, of mixed or uncertain parentage, have gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit: * 'Blue Silk' *'Shot Silk' *'Strathmore'


References


Further reading

* *


External links

* * {{Taxonbar, from=Q144682 Gentiana, Gentianaceae genera Flora of Europe Flora of North America Flora of temperate Asia Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus