Gentiana pedicellata

Family: Gentianaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows to about 10 cm high. The stems and leafy and lie along the ground. The leaves do not have stalks. The leaves are opposite. They are 0.5-2 cm long by 0.2-0.6 cm wide. They are narrow. The flowers are blue. A few occur together in flat topped flower arrangements at the ends of branches.

There are about 400 Gentiana species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal plants grow between 800-3800 m altitude. The grow on open slopes. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Tibet

How it is used for food

Tender portions of the plant are cooked as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, shoots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Chara ko khutta

Synonyms

Ericala pedicellata D.Don; Ericala procumbens D.Don ex G.Don; Gentiana quadrifria Blume; Gentiana squarrosa Ledebour;