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Gentianaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Gentiana acaulis

Gentiana acaulis

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
3/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitPerennial
GrowthSlow

Gentiana acaulis is native to mountainous regions in the temperate zone of central and southern Europe, where is can be found at elevtions up to 3,000 metres. A very cold-tolerant plant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -35°c[1, 2]. Gentiana species generally grow best when there is ample moisture to the roots in the growing season, but they also require very good drainage[1]. Often being native to mountainous regions, they require a certain minimum of atmospheric humidity; a high light intensity; but also a site where temperatures are not too high in the growing season[2]. They are therefore more difficult to grow in areas with hot summers and in such a region they appreciate some protection from the strongest sunlight[1, 2]. Most species will grow well in the rock garden[1]. This is an easily grown species, succeeding in most good garden soils, though it prefers a light loamy soil and lime-free conditions[3, 1, 2]. It appreciates a cool soil and so grows well in a pocket of soil amongst paving stones, so long as there is a gritty substrate[1]. Plants dislike growing under the drip from trees[1]. A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[1]. It is a rare and protected species in the wild[4]. Artificial fertilizers can have a negative effect upon the plant in all but the minutest quantities[2]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[1].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[1]. It can also be sown in late winter or early spring but the seed germinates best if given a period of cold stratification and quickly loses viability when stored, with older seed germinating slowly and erratically[1, 2]. It is advantageous to keep the seed at about 10°c for a few days after sowing, to enable the seed to imbibe moisture[2]. Following this with a period of at least 5 - 6 weeks with temperatures falling to between 0 and -5°c will usually produce reasonable germination[2]. It is best to use clay pots, since plastic ones do not drain so freely and the moister conditions encourage the growth of moss, which will prevent germination of the seed[2]. The seed should be surface-sown, or only covered with a very light dressing of compost. The seed requires dark for germination, so the pots should be covered with something like newspaper or be kept in the dark until germination begins[2]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. The seedlings grow on very slowly, taking 2 - 7 years to reach flowering size[2]. When the plants are of sufficient size, place them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division of larger clumps in early summer after the plant has flowered[2]. Dig up the entire plant, divide it into 2 - 3 fair-sized clumps with a spade or knife, and replant immediately[2]. Alternatively, individual rosettes can be carefully removed from the clump, these can be potted up for a few weeks before being planted in their permanent positions[2]. Cuttings of basal shoots in late spring or early summer[5, 2]. It is best to pot them up in a cold frame until well rooted, and then plant them out into their permanent positions. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Gentiana+acaulis>

Pollinators

Bumblebees, Butterflies

References

  1. [1]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  2. [2]Gentians. — Köhlein. F. · Christopher Helm. London. · 1991 · ISBN 0-88192-192-0 ↩︎A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
  3. [3]Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2. — Phillips. R. & Rix. M. · Pan Books · 1991 · ISBN 0-330-30936-9 ↩︎Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
  4. [4]Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. — Chiej. R. · MacDonald · 1984 · ISBN 0-356-10541-5 ↩︎Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
  5. [5]Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. — Bown. D. · Dorling Kindersley, London. · 1995 · ISBN 0-7513-020-31 ↩︎A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
  6. [6]Inventario Español de los Conocimientos Tradicionales Relaticos a la Biodiversidad, Fase II (3) — Santayana M.P. de, et al (Editors) · Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambient; · 2018 · ISBN 978-84-491-1472-4 ↩︎
  7. [7]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
  8. [8]A Modern Herbal. — Grieve. · Penguin · 1984 · ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 ↩︎Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
  9. [9]Edible and Medicinal Plants. — Launert. E. · Hamlyn · 1981 · ISBN 0-600-37216-2 ↩︎Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
  10. [10]Complete Guide to Herbs. — Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. · Rodale Press · 1979 · ISBN 0-87857-262-7 ↩︎A good herbal.
  11. [11]The Herb Book. — Lust. J. · Bantam books · 1983 · ISBN 0-553-23827-2 ↩︎Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
  12. [12]The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. — Mills. S. Y. ↩︎An excellent small herbal.
  13. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎