Gentianella amarella subsp. amarella
Gentianella amarella amarella
Gentianeella amarella subsp. amarella, commonly known as Small Gentian, is a perennial herb native to Europe's calcareous grasslands. Renowned for its intensely bitter roots, it has a long history in traditional herbalism. This delicate plant is prized for its digestive properties and its role in tonic formulations.
- Scientific name: Gentianella amarella subsp. amarella
- Family: Gentianaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, it falls under the family Gentianaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Gentianella, specifically the subspecies amarella.
| 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 is known by various names depending on the language, such as Gentianella amarella amarella in English (en), hořeček nahořklý pravý in Czech (cs), and engbittersøte in both Norwegian Bokmål (nb) and Norwegian Nynorsk (nn).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| en | Gentianella amarella amarella | Wikidata |
| cs | hořeček nahořklý pravý | Wikidata |
| nb | engbittersøte | Wikidata |
| nn | engbittersøte | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing naturally in the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. Its presence is also well-documented throughout the vast territories of Sweden and Norway. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the northern reaches of Finland. Finally, this medicinal plant is also a documented part of the flora in Great Britain.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Gentianella amarella subsp. amarella, is a perennial herb that derives its primary medicinal value from its underground structures. The most significant part used in traditional herbalism is the roots, which are characterized by their intense bitterness. These roots are typically harvested and dried to be used in various tinctures and infusions, serving as a potent digestive tonic and bitter agent.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |