Gentianaceae
Gentianaceae Juss. comprises approximately 85–90 genera and 1,700–1,800 species, distributed mainly in temperate and montane regions of the world. Molecular phylogenetic studies have refined relationships within the family while confirming its monophyly and recognition of several well-supported tribes and subfamilies. Members are characterized by opposite leaves, sympetalous flowers, superior ovaries, and the presence of intensely bitter secoiridoid compounds.
Key characteristics
- Annual or perennial herbs
- Leaves opposite, entire, exstipulate
- Plants usually glabrous
- Flowers actinomorphic, tubular, sympetalous
- Stamens epipetalous
- Superior bicarpellate ovary
- Fruit a loculicidal capsule
- Tissues characteristically bitter
Distribution
Gentianaceae has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, occurring from tropical mountains to arctic and alpine regions. The family is especially diverse in the Himalayas, Andes, European Alps, East Asia, North America, and temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere. Members inhabit alpine meadows, grasslands, wetlands, forest margins, rocky slopes, and montane scrublands. In Pakistan, Gentianaceae is concentrated primarily in the Himalayan, Karakoram, Hindu Kush, Chitral, Swat, Kaghan Valley, Deosai Plateau. Species commonly occur in subalpine and alpine meadows, moist grasslands, stream margins, forest clearings, and rocky slopes, generally between 1, 500 and 5, 000 m elevation.