Gentianella amarella subsp. acuta

Gentianeella amarella subsp. acuta, commonly known as the Sharpless Gentian, is a distinctive medicinal herb found in specific montane habitats. Valued for its potent bitter principles, it has traditionally been used to stimulate digestion and support liver function, offering unique therapeutic properties within the broader Gentian family of plants.

  • Scientific name: Gentianella amarella subsp. acuta
  • Family: Gentianaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Gentianales and the family Gentianaecae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Gentianeella, specifically the subspecies amarella subsp. acuta.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Gentianales WCVP
Family Gentianaceae WCVP
Genus Gentianella WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Gentianella amarella subsp. acuta, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is commonly referred to as the slender bitter gentian, while in French, it is known as la gentiane amère à feuilles aiguës. In German, the species is called die spitze Bittergentian, and in Italian, it is referred to as la gentiana amara a foglie acuminate.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions within the Siberian landscape. It can be found growing in the Altai mountain range, which forms part of its native range. Additionally, the species is present in the Republic of Buryatia, extending its reach through the eastern parts of the territory. Its presence is also documented in the Chita region, contributing to its widespread occurrence in the area. Finally, the plant is distributed across the Irkutsk and Krasnoyarsk regions, covering significant portions of central and eastern Siberia.

Region Area Source
Siberia Altay WCVP
Siberia Buryatiya WCVP
Siberia Chita WCVP
Siberia Irkutsk WCVP
Siberia Krasnoyarsk WCVP
Siberia Tuva WCVP
Siberia Yakutiya WCVP
Russian Far East Amur WCVP
Russian Far East Khabarovsk WCVP
Russian Far East Magadan WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Gentianeella amarella subsp. acuta, is a medicinal species where various components contribute to its therapeutic profile. For many traditional preparations, the whole plants are harvested to capture the full concentration of bitter principles found throughout the organism. However, pharmacological studies often focus on the whole plant to ensure a standardized dosage of its active compounds. Additionally, the leaf serves as a significant site for secondary metabolite production, playing a crucial role in the plant's overall medicinal potency.
Total parts
3
Scientific sources
3
Plant Part Sources Confidence
whole plants 1 ★☆☆☆☆
whole plant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆