Gentiana acaulis

Perr. et Songeon ?L.

Trumpet gentian, Swiss gentian

Gentianaceae Edible: Roots 6,855 iNaturalist observations

medicinalseasoning

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-nd

Summary

Source: Wikipedia

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 the Alps and Pyrenees, at heights of 800–3,000 m (2,625–9,843 ft).

Description

A small herb. It grows 10 cm high and spreads 30 cm wide. The leaves are in a ring at the base. They are 25 mm long and have short stems. The flowers are deep blue and bell shaped. They have green spots and occur singly. The flowers are 5 cm long.

Edible Uses

No edible uses are known for this plant.

Traditional Uses

The roots are used as a snack food. They can be used to flavour drinks.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

An infusion of the whole plant is used externally to lighten freckles. This species is among several that serve as sources of medicinal gentian root; the following notes reflect the general uses of G. lutea, the most commonly used species in the West. Gentian root has a long history as a herbal bitter for treating digestive disorders and is an ingredient in many proprietary medicines. It contains some of the most bitter compounds known and is used as a scientific benchmark for measuring bitterness. It is especially valuable in states of exhaustion from chronic disease and in cases of debility, weakness of the digestive system, and poor appetite. It is one of the finest general tonics available, stimulating the liver, gall bladder, and digestive system, and works well combined with a purgative to offset that treatment's debilitating effects. The root is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter tonic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant, and stomachic. Taken internally, it treats liver complaints, indigestion, gastric infections, and anorexia. It should not be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers. The root is harvested in autumn and dried for later use. Roots from plants that have not yet flowered are thought to be the richest in medicinal properties.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It suits cool climates. It is an alpine plant. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Where It Grows

Australia, Balkans, Europe, Italy, Mediterranean, Slovenia Spain, Tasmania,

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. 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. Most species will grow well in the rock garden. This is an easily grown species, succeeding in most good garden soils, though it prefers a light loamy soil and lime-free conditions. It grows well in a pocket of soil amongst paving stones, so long as there is a gritty substrate. Plants dislike growing under the drip from trees. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties. It is a rare and protected species in the wild. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe, placed in a light position in a cold frame. It can also be sown in late winter or early spring, though germination is best after cold stratification; stored seed loses viability quickly, with older seed germinating slowly and erratically. Keeping seed at around 10°c for a few days after sowing allows it to absorb moisture. Following this with at least 5–6 weeks of temperatures between 0 and -5°c will usually produce reasonable germination. Clay pots are preferable to plastic, as plastic drains less freely and the resulting moisture encourages moss growth, which can prevent germination. Sow seed on the surface or cover it with only the lightest dressing of compost. Seed requires darkness to germinate, so cover pots with newspaper or place them in the dark. Pot seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Seedlings are very slow-growing, taking 2–7 years to reach flowering size. Move plants to their permanent positions in late spring or early summer once large enough. Division can be done in early summer after flowering — dig up the entire plant, split it into 2–3 reasonably sized clumps using a spade or knife, and replant immediately. Basal shoot cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer; pot these in a cold frame until well rooted before planting out permanently.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 360 Gentiana species.

Synonyms

Gentiana kochiana

Also Known As

Genziana, Gnziana, Kochov svišč

References (6)

Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 630
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 109
Marinelli, J. (Ed), 2004, Plant. DK. p 278
Pieroni, A., 1999, Gathered wild food plants in the Upper Valley of the Serchio River (Garfagnana), Central Italy. Economic Botany 53(3) pp 327-341
Ryan, S., 2008, Dicksonia. Rare Plants Manual. Hyland House. p 103

Show all 6 references