Gentiana dahurica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dasystephana dahurica
• Tretorhiza dahurica
• Pneumonanthe dahurica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is a member of the Gentianaceae family. Finally, its taxonomic hierarchy places it within the genus Gentiana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In Russia, its presence is noted specifically within the Chita region of Siberia. The species is also widely found throughout China, spanning across the South-Central and North-Central territories. Furthermore, it inhabits the northern stretches of China within Inner Mongolia. Finally, its range extends into the high-altitude landscapes of Qinghai.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gentiana dahurica is characterized by its preference for high-altitude environments, specifically within mountain meadows. This species thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient, with its distribution ranging from a minimum elevation of 870 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 4500 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at a mean elevation of 3505 m AMSL, indicating a strong adaptation to the specialized climatic conditions and terrain found in alpine and subalpine meadow ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3505 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

870 m AMSL

Habitat :

meadows, mountains

Life history

The life history of Gentiana dahurica is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Its developmental cycle involves established root systems that support continuous growth and survival over several years. As a perennial, it undergoes seasonal cycles of dormancy and active growth, typically emerging from its rootstock to produce foliage and flowering structures when environmental conditions are favorable. This multi-year life cycle enables the plant to accumulate resources over time, contributing to its long-term presence within its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gentiana dahurica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing or vining behavior. The species is terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.4 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.175 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.175 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gentiana dahurica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, reflecting its metabolic adaptation to its specific environmental niche. The plant's vegetative architecture features specialized leaf morphology, where the leaves are distinctly linear in form and possess entire margins, entirely lacking any defensive structures such as thorns or spines. Morphologically, the leaves exhibit significant dimensional variability: they maintain a minimum length of 2 cm, a mean length of 3.5 cm, and can reach a maximum length of 5 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width is quite narrow, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm, contributing to its slender, streamlined physiological profile.

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

0.4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gentiana dahurica is characterized by its bisexual flowers, which facilitate sexual reproduction through both male and female reproductive organs within the same flower. The flowering period typically commences in July and extends through August. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit specific dimensional characteristics, with a minimum length of 2.5 cm, a mean length of 2.75 cm, and a maximum length reaching up to 3 cm.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.75 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gentiana dahurica has 4 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, flower, rhizome, seed.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhizome

1. DNA research : an international journal for rapid publication of reports on genes and genomes

Seed

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Gentiana dahurica has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gentiopicroside, 1-Hexanoic acid, 2,4-DI-T-BUTYLPHENOL, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Daucosterol.

Gentiopicroside

1. DNA research : an international journal for rapid publication of reports on genes and genomes
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

1-Hexanoic acid

1. Natural product research

2,4-DI-T-BUTYLPHENOL

1. Natural product research

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Daucosterol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Loganic acid

1. Frontiers in plant science

NONANOIC ACID

1. Natural product research

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Roburic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Sweroside

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Gentiana dahurica has 1 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal.

Antifungal

1. Journal of natural products

Medicinal Uses

Gentiana dahurica has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hepatitis, pain, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, tonsillitis.

Most Reported Uses