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Northern
Gentian
Gentianella amarella (L.) Boerner
Synonyms:
Gentiana amarella. Other names: Felwort.
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Family: Gentianaceae,
Gentian
Genus: Gentianella
Description
Plant height: 5-40 cm tall.
Growth habit:
annual or biennial, from small, fleshy roots.
Stems:
erect, simple to freely branched, lightly angled,
usually hairless.
 Leaves: basal leaves several, mostly oblanceolate, 5-40
mm long. Stem leaves opposite, in 5-8 pairs, from lance-
shaped to oblong or ovate, clasping-based or not, as much
as 6 cm long and 3 cm broad.
 Flowers: pale bluish to purple, 1-2 cm long, solitary to
several in clusters from leaf axils, with 4 or 5 spreading or
erect, slightly pointed lobes. Flowers with bractlets at base
or with stalks 3-20 mm long. Corolla lobes about 1/2 the
length of the tube, with slender fringes from base, 1/2-3/4 of
the lobe length. Calyx 1/3-1/2 the length of the corolla, lobed
2/3-4/5 of its length, often more deeply cleft on one side, the
lobes unequal, from linear to lance-shaped.
Flowering time: June-September.
 Fruits: capsules, slightly exceeding the persistent
corolla, with seeds ovoid to spherical, yellow, nearly smooth.
Distribution
Meadows and moist areas in general, foothills to alpine
zone, in w., c. and s. parts of MT. Also from AK to Mexico
and in Eurasia.
 Medicinal plant: see below. |
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(click on image for full size)
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(click on image for full size)
The root of Northern gentian is anti-inflammatory,
antiseptic, a bitter tonic, and has agents that destroy and expel worms from the intestines, that increase
bile flow to the intestines, promote or assist the flow of menstrual fluid, reduce fever, and which give
strength and tone to the stomach. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. It is quite likely
that the roots of plants that have not flowered are the richest in medicinal properties. Gentian has a
long history of use as a herbal bitter in the treatment of digestive disorders. 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. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies. The keywords for prescribing it are "For
Depression for any known reason. For setbacks that cause discouragement or disappointment." |
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