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Useful Temperate Plants

Gentiana kurroo

Royle

Gentianaceae

+ Synonyms

Gentiana lowndesii Blatt.

Gentianodes kurroo (Royle) Omer, Ali & Qaiser

Gentianodes lowndesii (Blatt.) Omer, Ali & Qaiser

Pneumonanthe kurroo (Royle) G.Don

Tretorhiza kurroo (Royle) Soják

Tretorhiza lowndesii (Blatt.) Soják

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Gentiana kurroo is a perennial plant growing from a thick rhizome; it produces a basal rosette of leaves and decumbent to ascending stems that are branched from the base and can grow around 10 - 25cm tall[
2025
Title
Ethnobotany of the Himalayas
Publication
 
Author
Kunwar R.M., Sher H. & Bussmann R.W. (Eds)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57408-6
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2021
ISBN
978-3-030-57407-9
Description
 
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is harvested on a commercial basis in the Himalayas, where the roots are dried and traded under the name 'Trahimaan'[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. The plant is grown as an ornamental.
The wild population of Gentiana kurroo in India is inferred to have declined by 80% in a 10 year time period. Although the species is distributed from the Himalayan regions of Pakistan to west Nepal, the majority of the geographical range (80%) is in India. The situation in India is therefore considered to be representative of the global population of the species Therefore, the plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2015)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

51
Title
Flowers of the Himalayas.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Publisher
Oxford Universtiy Press
Year
1984
ISBN
-
Description
A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Range

E. Asia - N.W. Himalayas - Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nepal.

Habitat

Grassy slopes in subalpine to alpine medows, rocky slopes; at elevations from 1,500 - 5,000 metres[
51
Title
Flowers of the Himalayas.
Publication
 
Author
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A.
Publisher
Oxford Universtiy Press
Year
1984
ISBN
-
Description
A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses.
,
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusCritically Endangered
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.20 m
PollinatorsBumblebees, butterFlies
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gentiana kurroo grows luxuriantly in the Himalayas on southern open exposed slopes of mid and higher mountain ridges. Such sites are characterized by low temperatures, high isolation, and heavy wind speed. The plants are surrounded by tall grasses and scrubs and prefers to be overshadowed by them[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. A moderately cold-tolerant plant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -15°c[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Gentiana species generally grow best when there is ample moisture to the roots in the growing season, but they also require very good drainage[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. 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[
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
]. 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[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
]. Most species will grow well in the rock garden[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. This species requires a stony soil with perfect drainage[
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
]. It is best given some protection from winter wet[
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
].
This plant has a reputation for not being hardy in Britain[
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
], though this is more likely to be connected to excess moisture than to low temperatures.
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root is a blood tonic, febrifuge and stomachic. It is used to treat urinary affections, coughs, stomach aches and fevers[
240
Title
Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Publication
 
Author
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.
Publisher
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Year
1986
ISBN
-
Description
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
,
2037
Title
A cross-cultural analysis of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh (India) medicinal plant use
Publication
J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;155:925-86.
Author
Gairola S. et al
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.06.029
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The root and rhizomes of this species are the source of bitter glycosides (gentiopicrin and gentianin) and alkaloids (gentiomarin), and they possess immense medicinal and pharmaceutical importance. This plant is valued as an antiperiodic, expectorant, antibilious, astringent, stomachic, antithelmintic, blood purifier and carminative[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

The whole plant is used as a tonic and blood purifier to treat conditions such as coughs, fevers, liver ailments and headaches[
2025
Title
Ethnobotany of the Himalayas
Publication
 
Author
Kunwar R.M., Sher H. & Bussmann R.W. (Eds)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57408-6
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2021
ISBN
978-3-030-57407-9
Description
 
,
2037
Title
A cross-cultural analysis of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh (India) medicinal plant use
Publication
J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;155:925-86.
Author
Gairola S. et al
Website
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.06.029
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

This species is one of several that are the source of the medicinal gentian root[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. The following notes are based on the general uses of Gentiana lutea, which is the most commonly used species in the West[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Gentian root has a long history of use as a herbal bitter in the treatment of digestive disorders and is an ingredient of many proprietary medicines. It contains some of the most bitter compounds known and is used as a scientific basis for measuring bitterness[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
]. It is especially useful in states of exhaustion from chronic disease and in all cases of debility, weakness of the digestive system and lack of appetite[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. It is one of the best strengtheners of the human system, stimulating the liver, gall bladder and digestive system[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
], and is an excellent tonic to combine with a purgative in order to prevent its debilitating effects[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. The root is anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, bitter tonic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, refrigerant, stomachic[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
,
7
Title
Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Chiej. R.
Publisher
MacDonald
Year
1984
ISBN
0-356-10541-5
Description
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
,
9
Title
Edible and Medicinal Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Launert. E.
Publisher
Hamlyn
Year
1981
ISBN
0-600-37216-2
Description
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
,
14
Title
Complete Guide to Herbs.
Publication
 
Author
Holtom. J. and Hylton. W.
Publisher
Rodale Press
Year
1979
ISBN
0-87857-262-7
Description
A good herbal.
,
21
Title
The Herb Book.
Publication
 
Author
Lust. J.
Publisher
Bantam books
Year
1983
ISBN
0-553-23827-2
Description
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
,
165
Title
The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Publication
 
Author
Mills. S. Y.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent small herbal.
,
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
]. It is taken internally in the treatment of liver complaints, indigestion, gastric infections and anorexia[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
]. It should not be prescribed for patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
]. It is quite likely that the roots of plants that have not flowered are the richest in medicinal properties[
4
Title
A Modern Herbal.
Publication
 
Author
Grieve.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1984
ISBN
0-14-046-440-9
Description
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. 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[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
]. It is advantageous to keep the seed at about 10°c for a few days after sowing, to enable the seed to imbibe moisture[
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
]. 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[
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
]. 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[
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
]. 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[
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
]. 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[
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
]. When the plants are of sufficient size, place them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.
Division in early spring[
111
Title
Popular Hardy Perennials.
Publication
 
Author
Sanders. T. W.
Publisher
Collingridge
Year
1926
ISBN
-
Description
A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.
]. Most members of this genus have either a single tap-root, or a compact root system united in a single root head, and are thus unsuitable for division[
239
Title
Gentians.
Publication
 
Author
Köhlein. F.
Publisher
Christopher Helm. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-88192-192-0
Description
A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
].
Cuttings of basal shoots in late spring[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-05. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Gentiana+kurroo>

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