Spring Gentian
Gentiana verna subsp. verna
A common herb or a critically endangered species?
“The plant has curative powers, and is therefore needed in medicine. A small dose aids digestion. It is usually utilized in tea, also boiled with spirit and wine it acts against gastric ailments, diarrhea and chlorosis. For animals is the Spring Gentian one of the best medicines, especially against bad digestion and cramps, against jaundice, fever, worms, and others.” (dr. V.K., Czech herbarium published by Alois Hynek in 1899).
Spring gentian (Gentiana verna) occurred at the beginning of the 20th century in almost seventy localities in Bohemia and Moravia. At that time, it was still a relatively common species, growing on moderately humid low-stemmed meadows and mountain slopes, especially in the area between the Vltava and Brdy to the Český Krumlov and Karlovy Vary regions in Bohemia and in the Hrubý Jeseník region in Moravia.
A few decades later, was spring gentian declared as a specially protected plant species and categorized as a critically endangered species. In the full text see: Act of Nature and Landscape Protection No. 114/1992, § 48 and decree of the Ministry of the Environment No. 395/1992.
The reason for the decline of this species in the 20th century may have been the collection and use of plants as medicines. From the 1940s to the 1950s, the main reason of the extinction of the populations was the change of traditional landscape use, especially the abandonment of mowing and grazing. Thus, spring gentian was not able to compete with the spreading meadow species of herbs and grasses.
Action Plan for Gentiana verna subsp. verna was adopted by the Ministry of the Environment on 7. 3. 2008. The main purpose of the Action Plan was to preserve the lowland and mountain forms of Gentiana verna subsp. verna as a wild species in the Czech Republic. In 2011, activities within the Action Plan were limited to regular management of the NNM Rovná site, regular monitoring of populations and monitoring of the groundwater level. The reason was the finding that it would not be possible to achieve the goals of the Action Plan.
The population of spring gentian in the Jeseníky Protected Landscape Area has been stable for a long time. Spring gentian occur here primary habitats, i.e. subalpine springs, avalanche slopes and wet rocks. From the point of view of gentian protection, there is no need to implement protection measures. In contrast, the population in NNM Rovná is small, incapable of independent existence (population does not reach the minimum size of a viable population) and its condition has not improved despite appropriate management and population strengthening. Based on all the above facts, the Action Plan for Gentiana verna subsp. verna was terminated on 31 December 2012. But the care of the habitat with the occurrence of Gentiana in NNM Rovná continues.