2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Gelonias (lat. Helonias) - plant for water bodies and coastal areas; a genus of perennial herbaceous plants of the Melanthiaceae family (Latin Melanthiaceae). The genus includes one single species, referred to as the bladder gelonias (lat. Helonias bullata). In nature, gelonias is found in swamps in the eastern regions of North America. Listed in the Red Book. The cultivated species is cultivated in Europe. It is practically not grown in Russia. Gelonias is a frequent visitor to the botanical gardens.
Characteristics of culture
Gelonias is represented by perennial herbaceous bulbous plants with rather large, thick and fibrous roots, erect, bare, hollow stems and numerous, elongated, lanceolate, smooth, green, non-falling foliage, the length of which varies from 10 to 35 cm.
The flowers of gelonias are unusual, small, numerous, collected in racemose ovoid inflorescences. One inflorescence can contain up to 70 flowers. Inflorescences rise above the water on erect peduncles. The perianth is lilac or pink-lilac, consists of spoon-shaped lobes, the length of which does not exceed 1 cm. A distinctive feature of the flowers is the presence of filamentous stamens with blue anthers.
Fruits are ribbed egg-shaped capsules of small size, contain a huge amount of fusiform brown seeds, possibly with white tips. The bloom of gelonias is observed in spring. The culture does not have high winter-hardy properties. In addition, it is demanding on growing conditions.
He is an adherent of highly humid peatlands and damp banks of ponds and other bodies of water. The location is preferably open and sunny, shade is undesirable. The culture in question is propagated only by tubers, the seed method is practically not used, since the seeds do not ripen.
Application in medicine
Gelonias vesicle is used in medicine. It is effective against stomach diseases, disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, headaches, pressure, unpleasant pain in the occipital and parietal part of the head. It also has a positive effect on the work of the gastrointestinal tract, relieves pain during menstruation and pulling pain in the lower abdomen, problems with urination, as well as back pain. He is also advised in case of a tense psycho-emotional state.
