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Useful Temperate Plants

Gentiana lutea

L.

Gentianaceae

+ Synonyms

Asterias hybrida G.Don

Asterias lutea (L.) Borkh.

Coilantha biloba Bercht. & J.Presl

Gentiana aurantiaca (M.Laínz) Silva Pando, Valdés Berm. & Rodr.Gracia

Gentiana major Bubani

Gentiana montserratii Vivant ex Greuter

Gentiana symphyandra (Murb.) Dörfl.

Gentiana vardjanii (Wraber) Landolt

Gentianusa lutea (L.) Pohl

Lexipyretum luteum Dulac

Swertia lutea (L.) Vest

Common Name: Yellow Gentian

No Image.

General Information

Gentiana lutea is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a single (occasionally a few), erect, robust stem; it usually grows around 60 - 90cm tall, occasionally to 180cm[
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
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 root of this species is the major source of gentian root, a well-known and popular herbal remedy that is especially useful as a tonic, stomachic and appetizer, used in treating digestive problems, low energy etc. It is harvested in large quantities from the wild, and also cultivated, the roots being collected on a commercial basis for use in making liqueurs and a range of proprietary medicines.
Gentiana lutea is widespread with stable populations in parts of its range and therefore the risk of the species going completely extinct in Europe is quite low. However, it is concerning that the species is classed as threatened on various national red lists and the main threat is still overharvesting of this medicinal plant - adequate measures to prevent this are needed and the populations should be continuously monitored. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
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

50
Title
Flora Europaea
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1964
ISBN
-
Description
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
,
74
Title
Flora of the USSR.
Publication
 
Author
Komarov. V. L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Israel Program for Scientific Translation
Year
1968
ISBN
-
Description
An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
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

Mountain regions of central and southern Europe east to Turkey

Habitat

Grassy alpine and sub-alpine pastures, marshlands and stony habitata, usually on calcareous soils; at elevations up to 2,500 metres[
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.
,
50
Title
Flora Europaea
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1964
ISBN
-
Description
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *  *  *  *
HabitPerennial
Height1.00 m
PollinatorsBees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gentiana lutea is native to mountainous regions in the temperate zone of central and southern Europe to western Asia, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,500 metres. A very cold-tolerant plant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -25°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.
]. Gentiana lutea grows at high elevations in glades of humid pine forests, rocky and shaded grasses. It does not stand high temperatures and needs high precipitation[
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.
]. It is, however, a fairly tolerant plant to cultivate, long lived (60 years or more) though slow to become established[
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.
].
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 is easily grown in any good garden soil so long as it is deep enough to accommodate its roots[
187
Title
Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2.
Publication
 
Author
Phillips. R. & Rix. M.
Publisher
Pan Books
Year
1991
ISBN
0-330-30936-9
Description
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
,
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 it prefers alkaline conditions[
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 prefers full sun but succeeds in partial shade[
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.
]. A slow-growing plant, it takes many years to reach its full stature[
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.
].
A moisture loving plant, growing well by water, it prefers to grow with full exposure to the sun but with plenty of underground moisture in the summer and it grows better in the north and west of Britain[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
].
Plants are very deep-rooted and are intolerant of root disturbance[
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.
,
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.
]. They are very long lived, to 50 years or more[
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.
].
A very ornamental plant[
1
Title
RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Publication
 
Author
F. Chittendon.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
1951
ISBN
-
Description
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
], it takes about 3 years to reach flowering size from seed[
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.
].
Cultivated as a medicinal plant in Europe[
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.
,
57
Title
Plants for Man.
Publication
 
Author
Schery. R. W.
Publisher
 
Year
 
ISBN
 
Description
Fairly readable but not very comprehensive. Deals with plants from around the world.
].

Edible Uses

The root has an intensely bitter flavour and is used in the manufacture of bitter liqueurs, known as gentian bitters or gentian brandy. At lower concentrations the roots are mainly seen as a flavouring in an alcoholic beverage, but at higher concentrations the roots have distinct medicinal benefits - improving the appetite, stimulating gastric secretions and the flow of bile, and improving digestion. They are used as appetizers, or are drunk when eating heavy, fatty foods in order to aid the digestion[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
The roots are also used to flavour rice dishes[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
The root contains sugar and mucilage[
2
Title
Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Hedrick. U. P.
Publisher
Dover Publications
Year
1972
ISBN
0-486-20459-6
Description
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
] (this is probably a reference to its medicinal properties).
The root was occasionally used as a flavouring in beer before the use of hops (Humulus lupulus) became widespread[
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.
].

Medicinal

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 the glycosides 'gentiopicrin' and 'amarogentin' - these are some of the most bitter compounds known and are 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.
,
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 root is especially useful in relieving states of exhaustion from chronic disease and in the treatment 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 and helping to regulate the thyroid gland[
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 the use of 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 and 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.
]. It is taken internally as a general tonic, appetiser and digestive, and also 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.
].
The root 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, which can be as thick as a person's arm and has few branches[
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.
], 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.
].

The plant is used in homoeopathy, where it acts as a tonic, increasing the appetite[
1052
Title
Homeopathic Materia Medica
Publication
 
Author
William Boericke, M.D.
Website
http://www.homeoint.org/books/boericmm/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An on-line version of the book
].

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.
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. 2024-12-03. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Gentiana+lutea>

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