This species is very similar to Gentiana lutea, but is differentiated from Gentiana lutea by its thinner rhizome, somewhat smaller leaves, sessile flowers, campanulate corolla, 3-4.5 cm long, dotted with black; It produces somewhat larger fruit and smaller seeds[].

Common Name:

General Information

Gentiana burseri is a robust herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock; It has erect, unbranched stems that can grow up to 100cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is occasionally grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Europe - the Pyrenees of Spain and France, extending into the Italian Alps

Habitat

Grasslands and rhododendron thickets on siliceous substrates; at elevations from 1,500 - 2,700 metres[]

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gentiana burseri is native to mountainous areas of the temperate zone of southern Europe, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,700 metres. It does not grows well in regions with hot summers. A moderately cold-tolerant plant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -15°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 fairly tolerant and will grow without lime in cultivated soils[].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root has antiseptic, laxative, stomachic and vulnerary properties. It.is used in the treatment of digestive problems, injuries and other problems affecting the skin. An infusion of the root is drunk as a treatment for dermatosis and erythemas. The root is used to diminish blood thickness, and for its antiseptic action upon the mouth, throat and digestive tract[].

In the central Pyrenees the plant is usually assigned the same medicinal and veterinary uses as Gentiana lutea; In fact, it can co-exist with Gentiana lutea and it is not uncommon for the one to be confused with the other, or for this species to be used as a substitute for Gentiana lutea[].

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.