What is Gentianaceae?
{{taxobox |name = Gentian family |image = GentianaAcaulisRannoch.jpg |image_caption = ''[[Gentiana acaulis]]'' |regnum = [[Plantae]] |unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]] |unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]] |unranked_ordo = [[Asterids]] |ordo = [[Gentianales]] |familia = '''Gentianaceae''' |subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]]}} [[File:Gentiana-verna2.jpg|thumb|left|The gentian]] '''Gentianaceae''' are a [[Family (biology)|family]] of [[flowering plant]]s of 87 genera and over 1500 [[species]]. Distribution is [[Cosmopolitan distribution|cosmopolitan]]. The family consists of [[tree]]s, [[shrub]]s and [[herb]]s showing a wide range of colours and floral patterns. Economically, some species are cultivated [[ornamental]] [[plant]]s and many species yield bitter principles used medicinally and in flavorings. Many of this group are [[mycoheterotroph]]s: their roots need fungi to break down organic material for them to absorb. [[Category:Gentianales]] [[Category:Plant families]] {{biology-stub}}