Gelber Enzian

created by Alex&Sempi at 17.03.2025

Season Overview

Propagating

Planting

Harvest

J

F

M

A

M

J

A

S

O

N

D

1ST YEAR

FOLLOWING YEARS

Description

The yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) is a species of the gentian genus (Gentiana) native to the European mountains. It grows at altitudes of up to 2,500 meters. Like its well-known purple-colored siblings, the yellow gentian belongs to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), which has a long tradition in natural medicine. The yellow gentian is a protected species and may not be picked in the wild. The yellow gentian has a completely different growth habit to the well-known dark purple gentian species. Gentiana lutea grows very slowly, but reaches a height of between 50 and 150 centimeters over the years. A long stalk grows from an underground rosette of leaves, on which flowers and bracts develop in up to six sections. Yellow gentian grows extremely vigorously, is slightly hairy, perennial and herbaceous and lives for more than 50 years. Yellow gentian forms a long main root and a rhizome several centimeters thick. Caution: If the yellow gentian is not in flower, there is a risk of confusion with the white germer (Veratrumalbum), which has a similar leaf structure but is highly poisonous! The two plants can be clearly distinguished by their roots: the gentian's roots are elongated, while those of the germander are oval. The leaves of the medicinal plant are gray-green. They grow basally as a rosette, with more narrow alternate leaves on the plant stem towards the crown. The leaves of the gentian are up to 30 centimetres long and 15 centimetres wide. They sit on the leaf stalk without a leaf sheath. When it rains, the water collects in them like in a goblet. The dried root is used as an appetite stimulant in schnapps because of its bitter substances, but it is also said to help with fever.

Non hybrid

Frostproof