Gentiana kurroo
Royle.
Gentianaceae
The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.
Common Name:
General Information
Gentiana kurroo is a perennial plant that can grow up to 0.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine..
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.
Habitat
Grassy slopes, 1800 - 2700 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.
].
Properties
Medicinal Rating |    |
Habit | Perennial |
Height | 0.20 m |
Pollinators | Bumblebees, butterFlies |
Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
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[
239- Title
- Gentians.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of 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
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of 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.
]. This species requires a stony soil with perfect drainage[
239- Title
- Gentians.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of the family.
]. It is best given some protection from winter wet[
239- Title
- Gentians.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of the family.
].
This plant has a reputation for not being hardy in Britain[
239- Title
- Gentians.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of 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
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 G. 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
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of 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
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of 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
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of 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
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of 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[
239- Title
- Gentians.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of 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
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of 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
- Kohlein. F.
- Publisher
- Christopher Helm. London.
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
- 0-88192-192-0
- Description
- A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs of all the members of this genus, with brief notes on other members of 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.
].
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