Common Name:

General Information

Gentiana algida is a herbaceous perennial plant with a short rhizome; it produces 1 - 2 unbranched erect stems around 10 - 20 cm tall. Most leaves are basal[, ]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is an ingredient of varoius traditional prescriptions in Mongolia[]. It is commonly used in Tibetan medicine, where it is known as 'bangjian'[]. The plant is grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Asia - Siberia, Kazakhstan and the Himalayas, east to Russian Far East, Japan and Korea; Western N. America - Alaska to New Mexico

Habitat

Boggy meadows in the Alpine zone[]. Grassy hillsides, stony hillsides, alpine meadows; at elevations from 1,200 - 4,200 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.15 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gentiana algida is native to cooler areas of the temperate zone, where it can be found at elevations up to 4,200 metres. It does not grow well in regions with hot summers. A very cold-tolerant plant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -25°c[].
Gentiana species generally grow best when there is ample moisture to the roots in the growing season, but they also require very good drainage[]. Often being native to mountainous regions, they require a certain minimum of atmospheric humidity; a high light intensity; but also a site where temperatures are not too high in the growing season[]. 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 somewhat difficult to cultivate, requiring perfect drainage such as a scree slope[].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is antithrichomonasis, haemostatic[]. The taste is bitter and the potency is cool. It is used in the treatment of conditions such as throat illnesses caused by fever, lung disorders, liver disorders, and bile disorder[, ]. It is an ingredient of several traditional prescriptions in Mongolia[]. In amchi medicine in Dolpa and Mustang, the whole plant is used in the treatment of throat troubles, chest pain, loss of eye vision, and phlegm and blood disorders.

The flowers are used in the treatment of bronchitis, coughs and fevers[, ]. The flower are used in the treatment of lung disorder and skin diseases[].

The plant contains anofinic and fomannoxin acids, which have known antifungal activity[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - 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 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[, ]. It is advantageous to keep the seed at about 10°c for a few days after sowing, to enable the seed to imbibe moisture[]. 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[]. 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[]. 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 until germination begins[]. 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[]. When the plants are of sufficient size, place them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.