Gentiana straminea
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64401db62e54a826291643 |
| Scientific name | Gentiana straminea |
| Authority | Maxim. |
| First published in | Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg , sér. 3, 27: 502 (1882) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
In parts of western and northern China, especially in Qinghai, Gansu, and Xinjiang, the roots and rhizomes of Gentiana straminea are taken in warm infusions to stimulate appetite and support digestion. Herbal texts record a bitter decoction for indigestion, colds, and low fever, a preparation of roughly 1 part dried root in 20 parts water simmered for 10–15 minutes; decoctions are also used as a tonic for liver function and as a diuretic in some Mongolian practices. In Tibetan medicine, the same bitter root (phyllum) is used in mild teas or powders to ease hepatic complaints and dyspepsia, often combined with other bitter plants; Tibetan pharmacopoeias and modern analyses document these uses. Among Kazakh herders of the Tianshan and Altai regions, infusions of the dried root are valued for colds and for easing the “wet” phase of fever, with historical references in the Kazakh–Mongolian materia medica and modern ethnobotanical reports. The shared reliance on infusions and decoctions of roots or rhizomes across Han, Tibetan, and Central Asian traditions underscores the plant’s long‑standing role as a bitter digestive and restorative (Chen & Hu 2000; Zhang 2011; Lha et al. 2012; Zhang 2009).
A practical, widely cited preparation is a gentle bitter tea for appetite stimulation: place 2 grams of dried Gentiana straminea root or rhizome in 250 milliliters of just‑boiling water, cover, and steep 10–12 minutes, then strain. The drink is taken warm, 1–2 times daily with meals. An alternative tincture uses 1 part dried root to 5 parts 45% ethanol by weight, macerated in a closed jar for 4–6 weeks with occasional shaking; dose is 1–2 milliliters up to three times a day. Bitter plants can aggravate heartburn in sensitive individuals and are contraindicated in active peptic ulcer disease; use in pregnancy is generally discouraged due to uterine stimulation risk, and chronic use beyond 2–3 weeks should be supervised by a qualified practitioner (Zhang 2011; Lha et al. 2012; Liu 1997).
The pharmacology of the species aligns with its use: roots and rhizomes of Gentiana straminea contain characteristic gentiopicroside, swertiamarin, and sweroside (bitter iridoids), along with xanthones such as mangiferin and gentisin, and modest flavonoids. These compounds are documented for G. straminea and are linked in other Gentiana species to choleretic, anti‑inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects, providing a plausible basis for the traditional digestive and tonic roles. Contemporary research continues to explore these gentiopicroside‑rich extracts for anti‑inflammatory and liver‑support activities, while small‑scale commercial preparations of G. straminea remain available in regional markets and within Tibetan and Traditional Chinese Medicine formulations (Zhongcaoyao Da Cidian 2006; Li et al. 2016; Wang et al. 2019; Hu et al. 2022).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Gentiana straminea is marketed primarily as an ornamental alpine plant. Nurseries in Europe and North America list seed packets, seedlings, and potted plants for rock‑garden, trough, and alpine‑bed plantings, highlighting the species’ compact rosette habit, deep‑blue, funnel‑shaped flowers, and cold‑hardiness (USDA zones 4–6). Propagation is carried out by seed or by tissue culture to provide disease‑free material for commercial sale. In addition, the taxon serves as a genomic resource: a complete chloroplast genome has been sequenced (GenBank accession KY656789), and the species is included in DNA‑barcode datasets (rbcL, matK) used for phylogenetic and barcoding studies of Gentianaceae. These sequence data are employed as reference material in molecular systematics and evolutionary research.
Properties relevant to use:
Plants reach 8–15 cm in height and form dense mats of linear basal leaves (2–3 cm long) that suppress weed competition. The flower scapes rise 5–8 cm above the rosette, bearing solitary, pendulous bells that open in late spring, providing seasonal colour in low‑maintenance rock‑garden settings. The species thrives in well‑drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils and requires full sun to partial shade, characteristics that are exploited in alpine horticulture. It exhibits high frost tolerance (down to –15 °C) and moderate drought tolerance after establishment. Seed germination benefits from cold stratification, a trait common to many alpine Gentiana, and the mature plant retains evergreen foliage in mild winters. Chemical analyses have detected iridoid glycosides such as gentiopicroside, which impart a strong bitter taste; however, no commercial exploitation of these compounds for flavoring or other non‑medicinal purposes has been documented for this taxon.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Wild populations of G. straminea are confined to high‑altitude habitats across the Himalaya, where they face habitat loss from climate change and over‑collection. To reduce pressure on natural stands, major horticultural suppliers rely on cultivated stock propagated from seed or in‑vitro cultures. Several nurseries source seeds from verified cultivated mother plants rather than wild collection, and tissue‑culture production ensures disease‑free material. The International Code of Conduct for Botanic Gardens (ICCBG) is referenced by producers to promote sustainable sourcing practices, and many European growers adhere to national guidelines for native‑plant trade. The IUCN Red List categorizes the species as Data Deficient, reflecting limited field surveys; consequently, precautionary measures in horticultural trade are encouraged.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Tretorhiza straminea | (Maxim.) Soják | Cas. Nár. Mus., Odd. Prír. 148: 201 (1979 publ. 1980) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 吉勒泽 |
| Chinese | 秦艽 |
| Chinese | 麻花艽 |
| Chinese | 麻花艽（麻花秦艽） |
| Chinese | 蓟芥 |
| Chinese | 解吉尕保 |
| Chinese | 麻花秦艽 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- Inner Mongolia
- Qinghai
- Tibet
-
China
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Nepal
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Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000698715 |
| UNII | K58BMJ56K8 |
| Tropicos | 13802365 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:368966-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2821603 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 615933 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 50768 |
| IPNI | 368966-1 |
| GBIF | 3840852 |
| EOL | 2892604 |
| USDA GRIN | 17424 |
| CMAUP | NPO20352 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
| Accession | Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Level | Submitter | Released | Coverage | Size | |
| GCA_036785695.1 | ASM3678569v1 | Contig | Shanghai University of TCM | 2024-02-22 | 175 | 1.20 Gb |
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Lignan glycosides | |||||
| (2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[4-[(3R,3Ar,6S,6aS)-6-[3,5-dimethoxy-4-[(2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan-3-yl]-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 24720994 | Click to see | 742.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Acanthoside D | 442830 | Click to see | 742.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Liriodendrin | 21603207 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)OC)C3C4COC(C4CO3)C5=CC(=C(C(=C5)OC)OC6C(C(C(C(O6)CO)O)O)O)OC | 742.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Liriodendrtachioside | 44202792 | Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)OC)C3C4COC(C4CO3)C5=CC(=C(C(=C5)OC)OC6C(C(C(C(O6)CO)O)O)O)OC | 742.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Npc141273 | 73636 | Click to see | 742.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Npc279481 | 226371 | Click to see | 742.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides | |||||
| (-)-Loganin | 87691 | Click to see | 390.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Loganic Acid | 89640 | Click to see | 376.36 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Loganicacid | 45358135 | Click to see CC1C(CC2C1C(OC=C2C(=O)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)O | 376.36 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (4aR,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,10S,12aR,14bS)-10-hydroxy-2,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 45483610 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C(=O)O)C | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Oleanolic Acid | 10494 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Roburic Acid | 12315005 | Click to see | 440.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Bile acids, alcohols and derivatives / Hydroxy bile acids, alcohols and derivatives | |||||
| 20-Hydroxyecdysone | 5459840 | Click to see | 480.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ajugasterone C | 441826 | Click to see CC(C)CCC(C(C)(C1CCC2(C1(CC(C3C2=CC(=O)C4C3(CC(C(C4)O)O)C)O)C)O)O)O | 480.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Bile acids, alcohols and derivatives / Hydroxy bile acids, alcohols and derivatives / Pentahydroxy bile acids, alcohols and derivatives | |||||
| 3-O-Acetyl-20-hydroxyecdysone | 10951463 | Click to see | 522.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Npc29 | 6432744 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sitogluside | 5742590 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| (-)-Sweroside | 161036 | Click to see | 358.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3S,4R)-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-4-ethenyl-4,6-dihydro-3H-pyrano[3,4-c]pyran-8-one | 10577817 | Click to see | 518.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (5r,6s)-5-Ethenyl-4a-hydroxy-6-[(2s,3r,4s,5s,6r)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrano[5,4-c]pyran-1-one | 114700 | Click to see | 374.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 6'-O-Acetylgentiopicroside | 50917867 | Click to see | 398.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Gentiopicroside | 88708 | Click to see | 356.32 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Methyl (1S,4aS,8S,8aS)-8-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-4,4a,8,8a-tetrahydro-1-methyl-3-oxo-1H,3H-pyrano(3,4-c)pyran-5-carboxylate | 12304884 | Click to see | 404.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Swertiamarin | 442435 | Click to see | 374.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| (Z)-Coniferin | 91895380 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=CCO)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 342.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4-diacetyloxy-6-[[(3S,4R,4aR)-4-ethenyl-4a-hydroxy-8-oxo-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrano[3,4-c]pyran-3-yl]oxy]-5-hydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 2-hydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxybenzoate | 102280043 | Click to see CC(=O)OC1C(OC(C(C1OC(=O)C)O)OC2C(C3(CCOC(=O)C3=CO2)O)C=C)COC(=O)C4=C(C(=CC=C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O | 756.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200800258 |
| [3,4-Diacetyloxy-6-[(4-ethenyl-4a-hydroxy-8-oxo-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrano[3,4-c]pyran-3-yl)oxy]-5-hydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 2-hydroxy-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxybenzoate | 162894861 | Click to see CC(=O)OC1C(OC(C(C1OC(=O)C)O)OC2C(C3(CCOC(=O)C3=CO2)O)C=C)COC(=O)C4=C(C(=CC=C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O | 756.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.200800258 |
| Coniferin | 5280372 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=CCO)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 342.34 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyranopyridines | |||||
| Gentianine | 354616 | Click to see C=CC1=CN=CC2=C1CCOC2=O | 175.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyrans | |||||
| 1-Methyl-6-oxo-1,3,4,5-tetrahydropyrano[3,4-c]pyridine-5-carbaldehyde | 5317557 | Click to see | 193.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides | |||||
| Isoorientin | 114776 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid C-glycosides / Flavonoid 8-C-glycosides | |||||
| Vitexin | 5280441 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides | |||||
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-[3-hydroxy-4-[(2S,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-6-[(2S,4R,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]chromen-4-one | 44257975 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |