Gentiana purpurea
L.
Purple gentian
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Summary
Source: WikipediaGentiana purpurea, the purple gentian, is a plant species in the genus Gentiana. Flowers from July to August. The root is sometimes used in the manufacture of gentian bitters. It is native to Central and Northern Europe.
Description
A hardy perennial reaching 0.6 m (2 ft) tall, suited to UK zone 5. Flowers appear July to August. Hermaphroditic and pollinated by bumblebees and butterflies. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with good drainage. Tolerates mildly acid and neutral pH. Thrives in semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.
Edible Uses
The root is sometimes used in the manufacture of gentian bitters.
Traditional Uses
The root is used for gentian bitters.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
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 in the treatment of digestive disorders and is an ingredient in many proprietary medicines. It contains some of the most bitter compounds known and serves as a scientific benchmark for measuring bitterness. It is especially useful 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 strengtheners of the human system, stimulating the liver, gall bladder, and digestive system, and combines well 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.
Known Hazards
Should not be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows in the high mountains in Central Europe. It is often near streams and marshland.
Where It Grows
Alps, Austria, Europe, France, Germany, Italy, Mediterranean, Norway, Scandinavia, Sweden, Switzerland,
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 species is easily grown in a sandy, lime-free soil enriched with organic matter, so long as this is deep enough to accommodate the plant's roots. 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. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance.
Propagation
Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame. It can also be sown in late winter or early spring, though germination is best after a period of 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 that can prevent germination. Sow seed on the surface or cover with only the lightest dressing of compost. Seed requires darkness to germinate, so cover pots with newspaper or keep them in the dark. Pot 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. Seedlings are 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 in March is possible, though most members of this genus have either a single tap-root or a compact root system united in a single root head, making them generally unsuitable for division. Basal shoot cuttings can be taken in late spring.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 400 Gentiana species.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Brouk, B., 1975, Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press, London. p 367
- Sp. Pl. 1:227. 1753
- Seidemann J., 2005, World Spice Plants. Economic Usage, Botany, Taxonomy. Springer. p 164
