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Gentians
(Family Gentianceae) The Latin name Gentianaceae refers to the ancient king Gentius (180-167) of the Balkan Peninsula who used gentians to cure a febrile illness that was affecting his army. The Gentianaceae family is a relatively large (1,225 species in 78 different genera) cosmopolitan family of mainly herbs or shrubs that typically accumulate bitter iridoid substances. Many Gentians are showy and frequently used as ornamentals. Ethnobotany: Gentians have been valued since ancient times for their medicinal properties. A clear, bitter tasting juice can be extracted from the plants and has been used to treat fever, to stimulate digestive secretions, and as a tonic for the circulation, liver and gallbladder disorders. Gentian extract has mild laxative and antacid properties. Research has shown that these medicinal properties are due in part to phenolic acid. Other constituents, gentiopicrin, and gentianine, are reported to have antimalarial and anti-inflammatory properties respectively. Wildlife Value: The blooms of gentians attract insects. Several Gentians in Texas are: Mountain Pinks (Centaurium beyrichii) Acknowledgements: I would like to thank Ann Black, for providing photos and research into these plant species, and most of all for assisting me in the writing of this weekís species. Ann is a family physician at the Blanco Regional Clinic, a member of the Native Plan Society of Texas and Friend of Honey Creek State Natural Area. |
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Sabatia campestris, Meadow Pinks
* Range: Eastern half of Texas. Bloom Period: March to July Location: Martin Creek Lake State Park |
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Centaurium beyrichii , Mountain Pinks
Range: North Central Texas and the Edwards Plateau. Bloom period: May to August. * |
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Centaurium texense, Lady Bird’s Centaury
Range: Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains. Bloom Period: May to July. * |
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Centaurium calycosum, Rosita
Range: From Central Texas westward. Bloom Period: May to July. Written by: Jeff Sparks Last Update: |
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Also called Rose Gentian, Meadow Pinks are upright annuals with one or several branches. They grow from 5 to 8 inches high with flowers that are an inch across. The leaves are oblong-elliptic to broadly ovate-elliptic and clasp the stem. The base of each petal has a yellow or greenish yellow triangular spot that collectively form a yellow star at the center of the flower. Meadow pinks grow in full sun and favor soils that collect rainfall. They are often found on roadsides, pastures, and along edges of woods. 
Common names include Mountain Pink, Meadow Pink, Catchfly, and Rock Centaury. Mountain Pinks look like little pink bouquets growing on the sides of limestone slopes. Centaurium beyrichii grows from 4 to 12 inches high and has linear leaves. Its flowers are a light pink to rose; the petals are narrow and pointed. Mountain pinks prefer limestone soils and are found on rocky slopes and hillsides, or in open barren areas. 
Lady Bird’s Centaurys are small delicate-appearing plants that are nearly constantly in bloom. They grow from 3 to 7 inches high and have highly branched stems. This centaury is named after Lady Bird Johnson who discovered a way to sow and propagate the plants. Lady Bird Centaury is usually found in open grassy areas with good soil drainage or may be found in rocky areas that receive rainfall runoff. 
Although it looks very similar to Lady Bird’s Centaury, Rosita is a larger plant and has more showy flowers. Rosita grows from 8 to 18 inches high. The leaves are lanceolate. The flower petals are elliptical in shape; the floral shape is tubular. Rosita will bloom profusely for a prolonged period of time. Found in areas subject to a water source or in moist soils along streams.