Perennial, herbaceous plant native to mountainous areas of
Europe; it may reach 0.5 to 1.0 m (2 to 3 ft.) in height. It has large,
cylindrical roots (internally yellow); erect chalice; and flowers with a yellow corolla and peduncles. It blooms from July to August.
The part used is the roots of two-year-old plants. The dried product
and its derivatives of Gentian exhibit a very bitter flavor.
The derivatives are infusion (2%), fluid extract, soft and dried
aqueous extracts, and tincture (20 % in 60% ethanol).
Essential oil composition
The dried root contains small amounts of secoiridoidglycoside (2 to 3%). The bitter taste is mainly due to
the acylglycoside amarogentine (0.2 to 0.5%, of which 91% is present in the rind).
