Gentianaceae Swertia bimaculata

The Family 87 genera Over 1500 species Found worldwide There are trees and shrubs, but mostly herbs Cultivated as ornamentals Some species used for medicinal purposes Species exhibit a wide range of colors and floral patterns Gentiana septemfida

Origination King Gentius of Illyria Botanical authority: August Grisebach (1836) Estimated to be approximately 50 million years old

Specs Actinomorphic Bi-sexual Tepals Parietal placentation Cymose inflorescence Capsule fruit (sometimes berry) Plants typically rhizomatous Bird and insect pollinated, some species also bat pollinated

Specs (cont.) Habit ranges from ascending, to erect or twining stems Leaves are usually alternate, can be opposite or whorled. Simple Entire Bases connected to stem (connate) Stipules absent Centaurium erythaea

Myco-heterotrophy Plant parasitizes fungi Orchids exhibit myco-heterotrophy Partial myco-heterotroph, can photosynthesize if necessary Sometimes referred to as ‘mychorrhizal cheaters’ Gentiana lutea

Classification Debate Recent rearrangements Anthocleista went from Loganiaceae to Gentianaceae Bartonia also had members in Losaceae family, but they have been changed to the genus Mentzelia Based on molecular, morphological, and photochemical evidence Anthocleista grandiflora Bartonia virginica

Gentian Type genus of family Approx. 400 species Worldwide distribution Some are evergreen Polymorphic Said to have healing powers Used in alcoholic beverages and, at one time, soda Gentiana asclepiadea

G. paradoxa G. asclepiadea G. douglassiana G. pannonica

Centaurium Named after centaur Chiron (Greek mythology) Many plants in this genus used as folk medicines C. beyrichii was used by early pioneers to reduce fever C. erythraea has naturalized in N. America where it was introduced Members of this genus and Gentianaceae in general contain bitter principles for self-defense C. erythraea

Bitter Principles The bitter principles found in many Gentianaceae are thought to have originated as a self defense mechanism To humans and animals, it gives a bitter taste to the plant Has been extracted in the form of ‘Gentian’ Used in booze, soda, and medicines Autumn Frog: 1 oz. Suze 1 oz. Calvados 1 oz. French Vermouth

Eustoma One of the most important ornamental varieties of Gentianaceae Many cultivars found in floral markets Can be found in Southern US, as well as other warm regions Also called Lisanthus, Texas Bluebell, Tulip Gentian, or just Gentian E. grandiflorum

E. russelianum E. ????? E. exaltatum

Exacum Nothing special, only included because it looks cool. E. bicolor

E. bicolor E. artopurpurem ANTS! E. lawii

Macrocarpaea 105 species with 2 hybrids Largest genus of tribe Helieae within Gentianaceae Both diurnal and nocturnal pollinators Insects, hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, and bats, to name a few Common name is Moon-Gentian One of few Gentianaceae genera with hairs on leaves M. apparata

Newly Discovered New species have been discovered as recently as 2006 (submitted ‘07) M. dies-viridis: found by Harvard students on a 2006 expedition. Named after the band Green Day (dies-viridis = day-green) M. apparata: named in 2003 for the verb apparata made popular by Harry Potter books. Also submitted by a Harvard affiliate. M. pringleana: named for Dr. Pringle of the Canadian Royal Botanical Gardens, where he was a plant taxonomist M. sodiroana

Insect Pollinators M. sodiroana M. sodiroana M. sodiroana M. sodiroana

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Sources en.wikipedia.org www.botany.hawaii.edu www.bunnyhugs.org www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org www.hillkeep.ca www.birdperch.com www.npwrc.usgs.gov www.wildflower.utexas.edu www.gentian.rutgers.edu