Gentiana catesbaei

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Elliott's Gentian
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Gentianales Family: Gentianaceae Genus: Gentiana L. Species: G. catesbaei
Binomial name
Gentiana catesbaei Walt.

Gentiana catesbaei, commonly called Elliot's Gentian, American Gentian, or Bottle Gentian is a wildflower native the eastern North America. It grows in the swampy areas from Virginia to Florida and has showy, pale blue flowers which appear in the late fall from September to December.

[edit] Uses

The Catawba American Indians were known to to use the Elliott's Gentian for medicinal purposes. They would steep the roots in hot water and then use the produced liquid to sooth sore backs. This is not surprising as the European gentian, G. lutea, has been used as a digestive tonic and was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1820 to 1995 as a gastric stimulant. In fact, the very name of the genus is derived from Gentius, a king of Illyria who recognized the tonic properties of the plant.^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ Weiner, Michael A. (1990). Earth Medicine, Earth Food. New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 0449905896.