swamp gentian

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• swamp gentian

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gentiana detonsa var. paludosa
• Gentianella paludosa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Gentianales and the family Gentianaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Gentianopsis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several distinct regions within China. It can be found growing in the South-Central parts of the country. Furthermore, its range extends northward into the Inner Mongolia region. The species also inhabits the North-Central areas of China. Finally, its presence is documented in the high-altitude terrains of Qinghai and Tibet.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gentianopsis paludosa is defined by its adaptation to high-altitude environments, where it occupies a broad vertical distribution across montane and alpine zones. This species is typically found across an extensive elevational range, beginning at a minimum altitude of 1,180 m AMSL and ascending to a maximum limit of 4,900 m AMSL. With a mean elevation of approximately 2,845 m AMSL, the plant is specialized for the unique climatic conditions of mid-to-high mountain ecosystems, where it must withstand varying levels of UV exposure, temperature fluctuations, and specialized soil compositions characteristic of these altitudinal gradients.

Elevational range max:

4900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2845 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1180 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Gentianopsis paludosa is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. Following seed dispersal, the plant begins its life cycle by germinating in moist, acidic, or boggy habitats, establishing its vegetative structure early in the season. As it matures, it focuses energy on developing its characteristic foliage and eventually produces inflorescences to facilitate sexual reproduction. Once flowering is complete and seeds have been successfully distributed to suitable wetland environments, the individual plant expires, leaving the next generation to emerge from the seed bank in the following year.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Gentianopsis paludosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as a self-supporting species, rather than a climber. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits variable dimensions, with a minimum height of 0.035 m, a maximum height of 0.4 m, and a mean plant height of approximately 0.2175 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.2175 m

Plant height min:

0.035 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gentianopsis paludosa is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage that reflect its growth patterns. The leaf structure exhibits significant variability in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 5.5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf length of approximately 3 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a distinct range in leaf width, which fluctuates from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 1.4 cm. These measurements indicate a physiological capacity for both highly reduced and more developed leaf surfaces, allowing the plant to adapt its photosynthetic area within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

5.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1.4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Gentianopsis paludosa has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-Hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone, 1,7,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone, 1,7-dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone, 1,8-Dihydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyxanthone, 4',5,7-Trihydroxyflavone.

1-Hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

1,7,8-trihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

1,7-dihydroxy-3,8-dimethoxyxanthone

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

1,8-Dihydroxy-2,6-dimethoxyxanthone

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

4',5,7-Trihydroxyflavone

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Luteolin 7-O-glucoside

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Medicinal Uses

Gentianopsis paludosa has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Mycobacterium smegmatis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations