Great yellow gentian Facts
Great yellow gentian Facts
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| Interesting Great yellow gentian Facts: |
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| Great yellow gentian has erect stem that can reach 3.3 to 6.6 feet in height. |
| Great yellow gentian has very long and thick root that can reach 12 inches in length and 1 to 2 inches in width. Root is soft and spongy and has reddish bark on the surface. |
| Great yellow gentian develops broad, lance-shaped or elliptical leaves with pointed tips and prominent veins on the bottom surface. They are yellowish-green colored and oppositely arranged on the stem. Leaves on the upper part of the stem are smaller in size (compared with leaves that grow close to the ground) and they lack petioles. |
| Great yellow gentian starts to produce flowers three years after planting. Flowers are large, yellow-orange colored and arranged in clusters that grow from the axils of leaves. Great yellow gentian produces flowers with both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers). |
| Great yellow gentian blooms from July to August. Flowers attract bees, flies and butterflies, main pollinators of this plant. |
| Great yellow gentian propagates via seed and division of the crown. |
| Great yellow gentian is named after Gentius, king of ancient Illyria who discovered healing properties of this plant. |
| Great yellow gentian is also known as "bitter root" or "bitterwort" because entire plant (especially root) has extremely bitter taste. |
| Dry root of great yellow gentian has invigorating properties. It can be used in treatment of exhaustion, general debility, digestive disorders, lack of appetite and jaundice. Medicinal value of the root is the greatest just before the flowering (when harvest usually takes place). |
| Great yellow gentian was used as antidote for poisoning during the Middle Ages. It was also used as tonic and remedy for digestion disorders in animals during the 19th century. |
| Great yellow gentian was used for brewing of beer before introduction of hops. |
| Gentian wine was very popular during the 18th century. It was usually consumed before dinner to stimulate appetite. |
| Root of great yellow gentian is used for the preparation of herbal bitters and as flavoring agent for various liqueurs and soft drinks today. |
| Great yellow gentian is ornamental plant that is often cultivated in gardens and rockeries. |
| Great yellow gentian is perennial plant that can survive up to 50 years in the wild. |
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