Gentianaceae

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Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Gentianaceae (from the genus Gentiana, named in honor of King Gentius of Illyria, who, according to Pliny, first discovered the medicinal properties of these plants). Gentian Family. Fig. 49. Herbs, rarely shrubs or small trees: leaves opposite, rarely alternate or whorled, exstipulate: flowers bisexual, regular; calyx 4-5-parted, persistent; corolla 4-8-lobed, gamopetalous, hypogynous, convolute or induplicate, rarely valvate; stamens of the same number as the corolla-lobes and alternate with them, epipetalous; hypogynous disk usually present; ovary superior, 1-celled, with 2 parietal placenta, rarely 2-celled; ovules numerous: fruit a capsule. The 63 genera and about 750 species are almost cosmopolitan in distribution. Three hundred species belong to the genus Gentiana, distributed mostly in the mountains of the north temperate zone, in the arctic zone and in the Andes; they are wanting in Africa. Fossil species of Menyanthes are known. The family is closely related to the Loganiaceae. The commonly 1-oelled ovary, exstipulate leaves and the presence of a bitter principle are important characters. The general occurrence of a bitter principle renders the majority of Gentianaceae valuable as tonics, and appetizers. Most of the drug, gentian, is obtained from Gentiana lutea of Europe. G. punctata, G. purpurea, and G. Pannonica are also used. Erythraea Centaurium (centaury) furnishes a medicinal bitter principle. Tachia guianensis is used as bitters in South America, under the name quassia. The bitter principle of Menyanthes is used as a medicine, and also as a substitute for hops in flavoring beer. The Gentianaceae are used medicinally in all parts of the globe. Several genera are in cultivation in North America: Erythraea; Eustoma; Frasera: Gentiana (Gentian); Menyanthes (Buckbean); Sabbatia; and Swertia. Nymphoides (Limnanthemum) (Floating Heart, Water Snowflake) is a genus of peculiar aquatic plants. Villarsia is a close relative of Nymphoides. CH The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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References

• Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

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