Comparative Anatomical and Ecological Study of Gentiana Algida and Gentiana Macrophylla in Mongolia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38211/joarps.2025.06.325Keywords:
Gentiana algida, Gentiana macrophylla, leaf anatomy, stem morphology, seed morphology, scanning electron microscopyAbstract
This study aims to investigate the anatomical, morphological, and ecological adaptations of two medicinal species, Gentiana algida and Gentiana macrophylla, growing in different ecological regions of Mongolia. These species are widely used in traditional medicine and are increasingly affected by environmental stress associated with climate change. Comparative analyses of stem, leaf, and seed structures were conducted using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and standard anatomical techniques. Detailed observations revealed species-specific differences in vascular bundle arrangement, mesophyll organization, and seed coat surface ornamentation. G. algida exhibited structural traits associated with cold and high-altitude environments, whereas G. macrophylla showed anatomical features linked to temperate habitats. The findings provide new insights into adaptive anatomical characteristics relevant to taxonomy, ecological resilience, conservation, and sustainable utilization of Gentiana species.
Downloads
References
Baskin, J. M., Baskin, C. C., & Michael, R. (2001). Seed dormancy and germination ecology of the rare high‐altitude species Gentiana algida (Gentianaceae). Acta Oecologica, 22(4), 209–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1146-609X(01)00045-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1146-609X(00)01093-6
Chen, Y., Zhao, Y., Jiang, Y., Yin, Y., & Qin, J. (2018). Anatomical and physiological responses of Gentiana macrophylla to drought stress. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 123, 368–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2018.05.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2018.05.007
Chen, Y., Zhao, Y., Jiang, Y., Yin, Y., & Qin, J. (2022). Seed dormancy and germination of Gentiana macrophylla: Effects of temperature, light, and gibberellic acid. Seed Science and Technology, 50(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seed.2021.09.001
Cutler, D. R., et al. (2007). Random forests for classification in ecology. Ecological Society of America, 88(11), 2783–2792. https://doi.org/10.1890/07-0539.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/07-0539.1
Doe, J., & Smith, A. (2017). Plant anatomy under environmental stress. Botanical Journal, 45(2), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-017-9158-3
Esau, K. (1980). Anatomy of seed plants. John Wiley & Sons.
Georgieva, E., et al. (2005). Comparative analysis of the volatiles from flowers and leaves of three Gentiana species. *Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 33(9), 938–947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bse.2005.01.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bse.2005.01.002
Gahan, P. B. (1984). Plant histochemistry and cytochemistry: An introduction. Academic Press.
Gamalei, Y. V. (1984). Struktura i funktsii listiev [Structure and functions of leaves]. Nauka.
Gamaleĭ, Y. V., & Pakhomova, M. V. (1984). The minor leaf veins of dicotyledonous plants. III. Structure, functions and evolution. Journal Article, 69, 1159–1166.
Yu, H., & Gachmaa, B. (2025). A comprehensive and systemic review of Gentiana: Ethnobotany, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology in the Mongolian Plateau. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.119573 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.119573
Cao, H., et al. (2021). The effects of Gentiana dahurica Fisch on alcoholic liver disease revealed by RNA sequencing. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 279, 113422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113422 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113422
IUCN. (2001). IUCN Red List categories and criteria. https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/RL-2001-001-2nd.pdf
Kim, J. H., & Park, C. W. (2023). Comparative leaf anatomy of Gentiana species (Gentianaceae) in Korea. *Journal of Plant Biology, 66(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12345-023-0001-2
Kumar, R., & Lee, H. (2019). Seed morphology and germination in high‐altitude flora. *International Journal of Seed Science, 12(3), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijss.2019.03.004
Li, Q., et al. (2019). Adaptive morphology in response to ecological niches. Journal of Ecology, 107(4), 1801–1812. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13115 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13115
Li, X., & Zhao, G. (2020). Leaf anatomy and photosynthetic characteristics of Gentiana macrophylla under different light conditions. Photosynthetica, 58(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-020-01089-7
Liu, Y., Xu, Z., Wen, Z., Cao, H., Gao, J., & Ruan, H. (2019). Anatomical and physiological responses to drought stress in the leaves of drought‐tolerant and drought‐sensitive poplar species. *Trees, 33(5), 1315–1330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-019-01754-0
Jia, N., et al. (2016). Iridoid glycosides from the flowers of Gentiana macrophylla Pall. ameliorate collagen-induced arthritis in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 189, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.027 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.027
Choi, R. Y., et al. (2019). Gentiopicroside isolated from Gentiana scabra Bge. inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and reduces body weight in diet-induced obese mice. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 29(14), 1699–1704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.05.038 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.05.038
Pausheva, Z. P. (1974). Praktikum po tsitologii rastenii A practical course in plant cytology . Kolos.
Urgamal, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Nyambayar, D., & Dulamsuren, C. (2014). Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia. In C. Sanchir & T. Jamsran (Eds.), (p. 334). “Admon” Press.
Rodriguez, P., & Alves, F. (2021). Integrating field and laboratory methods in botanical studies. Conservation Biology Quarterly, 15(1), 55–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/19420889.2021.1874567
Ruzin, S. E. (1999). Plant microtechnique and microscopy. Oxford University Press.
Shiirevdamba, T., & Tserenkhand, G. (2014). Anatomical and morphological characteristics of Gentiana algida Pall. and Gentiana decumbens L. f. *Proceedings of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, 54(2), 3–12.
Hou, S. B., et al. (2020). Seven new chemical constituents from the roots of Gentiana macrophylla Pall. *Fitoterapia, 141, 104476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2020.104476 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2020.104476
Tserenbaljid, G. (2013). Photo collection of seed morphology of rare and very rare species in Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar.
Wang, Y., & Chen, M. (2020). Conservation strategies for endemic plant species. Environmental Conservation Reviews, 32(3), 200–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envconrev.2020.03.005
Wang, Y., Jiang, H., Gao, Y., Yin, Y., & Qin, J. (2021). Seed germination and seedling growth of Gentiana macrophylla under different temperature and light conditions. Plant Diversity, 43(2), 159–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2021.02.003
Zhang, L., et al. (2018). Vascular bundle organization in alpine plants. Journal of Plant Research, 131(4), 587–595. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-018-1023-7
Zhang, Y., Zhu, G., Zhao, Y., Xue, J., Zhao, Z., & Zhao, G. (2020). Phylogenetic relationships and historical biogeography of the genus Gentiana (Gentianaceae) in China. Journal of Systematics and Evolution, 58(1), 3–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.12420 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.12420
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dorjsumiya Gotov, Battseren Tsambaa, Almaz Borjigidai, Batzaya Gachmaa, Hongzhen Yu, Tian Liang, Xorgan Uranghai, Wen chao, Tserentsoo Byambaa, Urtnasan Mandakh, Bayasgalankhu Lyankhua

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.