Gentianaceae is a family of flowering plants of 105 genera and about 1650 species. Species in this family inhabit every continent except the Antarctic, and have been used around the world for centuries as traditional medicine.
Etymology
The family was named by Linnaeus in 1753. It takes its name from the genus Gentiana, named after the Illyrian king Gentius. Gentius ruled the Ilyrian kindgdom from 181-168 BCE, and was said to have used a local Gentian plant to treat malaria in his troops.
Distribution
Distribution is cosmopolitan. Gentianaceae occur on all continents except Antarctica, although diversity is highest in temperate and subtropical regions. Species of Gentianaceae often inhabit alpine and subalpine habitats.
Characteristics
Gentiana verna, or Spring Gentian, is a small gentian that grows to only a few centimeters. It is distributed across Europe, the Caucuses, and parts of Asia.
The family consists of herbs, shrubs, and a few trees. The family shows a wide range of colors and floral patterns. Flowers are actinomorphic and bisexual with fused sepals and petals. The stamens are attached to the inside of the petals (epipetalous) and alternate with the corolla lobes. There is a glandular disk at the base of the gynoecium, and flowers have parietal placentation. The inflorescence is cymose, with simple or complex cymes. The fruits are dehiscent septicidal capsules splitting into two halves, rarely some species have a berry. Seeds are small with copiously oily endosperms and a straight embryo. The habit varies from small trees, pachycaul shrubs to (usually) herbs, with ascending, erect or twining stems. Plants are usually rhizomatous. Plants have opposite leaves, less often alternate or in some species whorled. Leaves simple in shape, with entire edges and bases connately attached to the stem. Stipules are absent. Plants usually accumulate bitter iridoid substances; bicollateral bundles are present.
Ecology
Partial myco-heterotrophy is common among species in this family. A few...
