Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Gentianales
Genus:
Species:
usambarensis
ID:
1064376

Status:
valid

Authors:
Engl.

Source:
tro

Year:
1895

Citation Micro:
Pflanzenw. Ost-Afrikas , C: 314 (1895)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001063714

Common Names

  • Usambarensis Gentian
  • Usambarensis Swertia
  • Usambarensis Swert

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Description

Swertia usambarensis (also called 'Usambara swertia', among many other common names) is a species of plant in the family Gentianaceae. It is a herbaceous perennial that grows up to 1 m tall. It is native to Tanzania, where it is found in forests and secondary habitats.

Uses & Benefits

Swertia usambarensis is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a medicinal plant. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and analgesic properties and is used to treat skin diseases.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Swertia usambarensis var. curtioides (Gilg) Sileshi
Swertia usambarensis var. usambarensis

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Swertia usambarensis has small yellow flowers with four petals and yellow anthers. The seeds are small, black and oval-shaped. The seedlings have long, narrow leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Swertia usambarensis is a perennial herb that can be propagated by seed or division. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate temperatures down to -15°C. It is best grown in a sheltered location.

Where to Find Swertia usambarensis

Swertia usambarensis is native to the Himalayas, from India to China.

Species in the Swertia genus

Swertia zeylanica, Swertia wattii, Swertia welwitschii, Swertia woodii, Swertia yezo-alpina, Swertia steenisii, Swertia striata, Swertia swertopsis, Swertia tashiroi, Swertia taylorii, Swertia lurida, Swertia staintonii, Swertia mildbraedii, Swertia mileensis, Swertia thomsonii, Swertia iberica, Swertia grandiflora, Swertia lastii, Swertia lactea, Swertia japonica, Swertia lawii, Swertia leduci, Swertia longifolis, Swertia juzepczukii, Swertia javanica, Swertia scottii, Swertia schimperi, Swertia schugnanica, Swertia punctata, Swertia ramosa, Swertia volkensii, Swertia pumila, Swertia papuana, Swertia nepalensis, Swertia oxyphylla, Swertia obtusa, Swertia pseudochinensis, Swertia polynectaria, Swertia pseudohookeri, Swertia perennis, Swertia piloglandulosa, Swertia pinetorum, Swertia alternifolia, Swertia acaulis, Swertia densifolia, Swertia crassiuscula, Swertia crossoloma, Swertia decurrens, Swertia fedtschenkoana, Swertia corymbosa,

Species in the Gentianaceae family

Adenolisianthus arboreus, Anthocleista amplexicaulis, Anthocleista djalonensis, Anthocleista grandiflora, Anthocleista inermis, Anthocleista laxiflora, Anthocleista liebrechtsiana, Anthocleista longifolia, Anthocleista madagascariensis, Anthocleista microphylla, Anthocleista nobilis, Anthocleista obanensis, Anthocleista procera, Anthocleista scandens, Anthocleista schweinfurthii, Anthocleista vogelii, Anthocleista potalioides, Aripuana cullmaniorum, Bartonia paniculata, Bartonia verna, Bartonia virginica, Bisgoeppertia robustior, Bisgoeppertia gracilis, Bisgoeppertia scandens, Blackstonia acuminata, Blackstonia grandiflora, Blackstonia imperfoliata, Blackstonia perfoliata, Calolisianthus amplissimus, Calolisianthus pedunculatus, Canscora alata, Canscora andrographioides, Canscora concanensis, Canscora diffusa, Canscora heteroclita, Canscora macrocalyx, Canscora pauciflora, Canscora perfoliata, Canscora roxburghii, Canscora schultesii, Canscora stricta, Canscora bidoupensis, Canscora bhatiana, Canscora shrirangiana, Canscora ciathula, Canscora tetraptera, Celiantha bella, Celiantha chimantensis, Celiantha imthurniana, Centaurium ameghinoi,

References

Adolf Engler (1844-1930): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Engl.' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:371126-1: Based on the WCVP April 2023 data release.