Common Name:

General Information

Gentiana depressa is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a much-banched, stoloniferous rootstock; the plant is stemless, or with very short, unbranched stems, it forms a loose mat of growth around 2 - 6cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it is considered to be a choice and desirable species that is difficult to grow and inclined to be short-lived without care[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Tibet), Nepal, Bhutan, northern India

Habitat

Steep banks, cliff faces, open alpine grassland; at elevations from 3,000 - 4,500 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.02 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gentiana depressa is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant[].
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[]. A plant of high mountains, it is difficult to cultivate at lower elevations, requiring an exposed, sunny position in a heavy, stony soil that is very well drained[].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The flowers or the whole plant are used medicinally. Traditionally they are most commonly used as an appetizer and digestive, whilst they are also used in the treatment of coughs, colds and fevers[, ]. They are usually taken in the form of a juice, otherwise by a decoction or the dried, powdered plant[].
The most common mode of preparation for the purpose of home remedy was accounted by juice (48%), decoction (32%) followed by powder (20%)[].

The plant is known to contain alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and steriods[]

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - often fails to ripen[]. If viable seed is obtained it 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 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.
This species suckers freely and is easily divided[].