GENTIANACEAE - GENTIAN FAMILY
Scientific Description:
Annual, biennial and perennial herbs. Leaves glabrous, entire, basal usually forming a rosette, cauline usually opposite and sessile, often connate at base. Flowers 4−8-merous, actinomorphic. Calyx ± deeply divided. Corolla lobes contorted in bud, usually glabrous. Stamens inserted on corolla tube; anthers slightly cordate at base, basifixed or rarely versatile. Ovary superior, unilocular, with 2 parietal placentae, ovules numerous. Fruit a capsule dehiscing by 2 valves.
Reference:
Davis PH (1978). Gentianaceae, In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 6: 176.
Public Description:
The “gentian family” contains annual, biennial and perennial herbs with cosmopolitan distribution. Their leaves are glabrous and generally the basal leaves are rosette. Flower colors vary. Some members (Gelin düğmesi “Centaurium Hill.” and Şıra “Blackstonia Huds.”) used in herbal remedies and in the making of dyes. Ingredients that are found in a large part of the members and which are bitter taste are used in the production of medicines and flavorings. This bitter taste stimulates the nervous system, allowing the digestive fluids to be released and helps to loosen the intestines to relieve constipation.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentianaceae/, Accessed date: 13.02.2016.
Anonymous 2 (2016). http://www.britannica.com/plant/Gentianaceae//, Accessed date: 13.02.2016.
Anonymous 3 (2016). http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/gentiana.htm//, Accessed date: 13.02.2016.
