Gentiana lutea (Yellow Gentian) is a perennial herb plant that is native to the mountainous regions of central and southern Europe. The root of the Yellow Gentian is renowned for its extreme bitterness, can grow as thick as a child’s arm and has many medicinal benefits. It is cold tolerant, slow growing and produces stunning yellow flowers throughout the Summer.
Suitable for Temperate climates.
The Gentian root has a long history in traditional medicine and is primarily used to assist with digestion and stimulating the flow of bile in the liver. Active compounds derived from the root include gentiopicrin, amarogentin, and swertiamarin and famous for their intense bitterness.
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Growth
Gentiana lutea is a herbaceous perennial that grows slowly to a height of 2 metres (7 feet) and rarely wider than 60cm (24 inches). Yellow Gentian tolerates most soil types as long as they stay moist with good drainage and adapts to part-shade locations although they prefer full sun.
Leaves are lanceolate to elliptic and can grow to 30 cm (12 inches) long by 12 cm (almost 5 inches) across. The yellow flowers on mature plants bloom from mid to late Summer with the corolla separated nearly to the base into 5-7 narrow petals.
In the wild, this species thrives on mountain ranges, remaining dormant during the cold winters and then growing slowly but steadily during the brief warmer months. When cultivated at home, it can take between 2-5 years for the plants to begin flowering.
Commercially, the highly sought after roots of Yellow Gentian are harvested in either their 2nd or 3rd Autumn with any flowers usually pinched off prior to blooming. Studies have found that the roots of plants that haven’t flowered contain a higher concentration of the medicinal benefits.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Gentianaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Dry and Sub-Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10-30°C / 14-86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 2m (7 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 60cm (24 inches)
pH:
5.5-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Moths and Butterflies.
MATURITY:
2-5 years.
GERMINATION RATES:
55-70%
GERMINATION TIME:
5-6 weeks Cold Stratification and then 6-8 weeks at temperatures between 5-10°C / 41-50°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 900
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
Rarely
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 4 years.
FACTS ABOUT GENTIANA LUTEA (Yellow Gentian)
The botanical name Gentiana lutea is a tribute to the Illyrian King (modern day Albania), Gentius, who is said to have discovered that the herb had medicinal properties. Gentius is featured today on two Albanian banknotes.
The American soft drink Moxie contains extracts of the Gentian root, while it is also used in France to make the bitter Genziana liqueurs such as Salers and Aveze.
Gentiana lutea is a considered an endangered species and is no longer harvested in the wilderness in France. There is even a European Gentian Association in Lausanne, Switzerland which aims to develop further knowledge of this species and others within the Gentianaceae family.
For more information regarding the medicinal benefits of Yellow Gentian please click here.
