Abstract

SEMINARIO, Juan F. et al. Cajamarca, Perú Biology and ecology of four medicinal species of Gentianella collected for the market in the Cajamarca Region, Peru. Bonplandia [online]. 2021, vol.30, n.2, pp.145-159. ISSN 0524-0476.  http://dx.doi.org/10.30972/bon.3024878.

The biology and ecology of four medicinal species ofGentianella(Gentianaceae) were described, with emphasis on aspects related to production, including the analysis of total flavonoids. All the evaluated species were small grasses.Gentianella gramineaandG. crassicaulisare perennial andG. dianthoidesandG. bicolorare annual. WhileG. dianthoidesproduces abundant seeds, the others have little to moderate seed production, all with low germination capacity.Gentianella crassicaulisproduces up to 90 g of dry matter/plant, while the rest produces less than 10 g of dry matter/plant.Gentianella gramineapresented significantly higher levels of total flavonoids in leaves and stems compared toG. dianthoidesandG. crassicaulis(p< 0,05). Three species (G. graminea,G. crassicaulisandG. dianthoides) occur in the Jalca region (2700 to 2850 m a.s.l.), along with other 30 species (of which 16 medicinal); whileG. bicolorinhabits the Quechua region (2600 a 2750 m a.s.l.), along with 17 species (9 medicinal). The four species had scarce populations (≤ 2,5 plants/m2) and their natural regeneration was low (1-4 plants/m2).Gentianella dianthoidesandG. crassicaulisare in a vulnerable state of conservation, so it is recommended to suspend their collection.

Keywords : flavonoids; Gentianaceae; Jalca; Quechua.