- Similarities between yellow gentian and white germer
- Occurrence of yellow gentian and white germer
- Confused with poisonous White Germer
- White Germer is a poisonous plant
Yellow gentian and white germer are two plants found in the Alps that are occasionally confused with one another. However, this is dangerous, since white germer, unlike yellow gentian, is highly poisonous. However, there are distinguishing features that can be used to tell the two plants apart.
White germer (shown here) looks confusingly similar to yellow gentian - as long as it is not in bloom
Similarities between yellow gentian and white germer
Both plants bear scalloped leaves that are grey-blue in colour.
The flowering times of yellow gentian and white germer are also the same. They start in June and last until August.
Occurrence of yellow gentian and white germer
Yellow gentian is currently still on the list of the Federal Species Protection Ordinance because the stock was endangered until recently. The main deposits are the European mountains and Turkey. The plant is avoided by grazing animals because of its bitterness.
White Germer is very common and not protected. It is widespread in Europe in the Alps, the Apennines and in Eastern Europe.
Confused with poisonous White Germer
Yellow gentian is a natural medicinal plant from which the famous gentian schnapps is made. A confusion with the highly poisonous Germer is actually only possible as long as the two plants are not flowering.
As the name suggests, yellow gentian has yellow flowers, while germer has white flowers.
In the non-flowering state, the plants can be distinguished by the leaf stand. The leaves of the yellow gentian grow decussate, while the leaves of the white germer appear in threes, alternately.
White Germer is a poisonous plant
In contrast to the yellow gentian, white germer is a poisonous plant. It is even classified as highly toxic. The rhizome in particular contains high concentrations of alkaloids.
Weißer Germer used to be used naturopathically for rheumatism, high blood pressure, fever and depression. The plant was also used as a lice powder and even as an arrow poison. Today Weißer Germer no longer plays a role in natural medicine because of the risk of poisoning.
In the event of poisoning, the doctor must be consulted immediately, who will initiate detoxification measures.
tips
Yellow gentian contains a lot of bitter substances but hardly any tannins and is therefore very easy on the stomach. That is why the roots of the plant are used to make gentian schnapps. Since the plant is very bitter, it is also often planted in the garden to ward off animals.