A comprehensive review containing the first classification of the entire family to be published for over 100 years.

This is the first of two volumes on Gentianaceae. Comprising twelve chapters, it centres upon the characterization and ecology of Gentianaceae worldwide, with emphasis on the application of molecular and cytological approaches in relation to taxonomy. The first three chapters consider the classification of the family and review the advances in research since the earlier revision published in 2002, which resulted in the reclassification of some plants and the naming of new genera. The next chapter provides the most comprehensive report to date of the systematics of South American Neotropical woody Gentians. Other reviews include details of the Gentianaceae in Eastern Europe. The key biochemical steps that result in the diversity of Gentian flower colors, the cytology of European species and an historical account of the importance of Gentians in herbal medicines are also covered. Furthermore, an analysis of gene expression in overwintering buds is presented, discussing several aspects of plant taxonomy, phenotypic characteristics, phylogeography and pedigree. Two contributions highlight the importance of Gentians in India, and the last chapter presents evidence for the importance of Glomeromycota in developing arbuscular mycorrhizal associations with the roots of Gentians. This volume provides the basis for the biotechnological approaches that are considered in the companion book The Gentianaceae – Volume 2: Biotechnology and Applications.

The family Gentianaceae is found in almost every part of the World. Plants of this family have a high degree of polymorphism. The distinguishing characters among genera and species are there but due to plasticity of the characters the identification is very difficult. For overcoming this difficulty, a critical taxonomic study is necessary. Taxonomic revision of Indian Gentianaceae has not been done since C.B. Clarke’s work in Flora of British India, which is now more than a century old. This is the first book of its kind, presenting correct names, synonyms and world distribution of 196 species and varieties, grouped into 17 genera of this family found in India. Out of these taxa the detailed taxonomic study of 14 genera and 82 species and varieties was done by the author and published in her book entitled ‘Gentianaceae of North-West Himalayas’. However, to complete the revision of total Indian Gentianaceae, study on double the number of species and varieties was wanted. The present checklist does not deal with the descriptions etc., of the plants but to present correct nomenclature some new combinations and new citations have been made. A list of endemic species is also given. An elaborate bibliography is appended at the end. This check-list of plant names in alphabetical order would be very useful for the taxonomists, working on this family in particular, and on Indian Flora, in general. This will also be useful for botanists of other countries.

This book, the second of two volumes on the Gentianaceae, is devoted to aspects of biotechnology and their applications. It consists of 18 chapters and covers micropropagation by means of organogenesis or somatic embryogenesis, and single cell manipulation of various species belonging to the horticultural genera Blakstonia, Centaurium, Gentiana, Gentianalla and Swertia. Furthermore, the application of somatic cell hybridization, haploidization and genetic variation arising from tissue and organ culture for the production of plants with new horticultural traits, such as new flower colors or sizes, or with special pharmaceutical values, is treated in detail. Also discussed are molecular markers that facilitate breeding and cultivar identification, the preservation of genetic resources by cryopreservation, the postharvest physiology of cut Gentian flowers and potted plants, and different analytical methods for the evaluation of Gentians as sources of secondary metabolites, such as xanthones and flavonoids, secoiridoids and C-glucoflavonoids, and their positive impacts on human health. This volume as well as the companion book The Gentianaceae – Volume 1: Characterization and Ecology will serve as key reference works for scientists and students in the fields of botany, plant breeding, biotechnology and horticulture, as well as professional gardeners.

This book is a comprehensive review of the genera of Gentianaceae, a family of flowering plants, found in tropical East Africa. It presents information on their character, occurrence, habitat, phenotypic variations and distribution of each of the species under these genera.