Description
Swertia tetrapetala (also called Chinese gentian, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to China, Japan, and Korea. It grows in moist meadows, grasslands, and forests at elevations of 500–3,000 m. It has a short stem and its leaves are lanceolate and serrated. Its flowers are yellow-green and tubular in shape.
Uses & Benefits
Swertia tetrapetala is used as a traditional Chinese medicine for treating fever, headache, and other ailments. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Flower: Yellowish-green, tubular, 5-lobed, about 1 cm long. Seed: Small, ovoid, black. Seedlings: Cotyledons oblong, about 2 cm long, petioles short.
Where to Find Swertia tetrapetala
Swertia tetrapetala is native to China and can be found in the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou.