1803 



*CHIR6nIA peduncukiris. 



Long-stalked Clnronta. 



PENTANDRIA MO^OGYSIA. 



Nat. Ord. Gentiane^, Juss. {Introduction to the Natural System 

 of Botany, p. 215.) 



CHIRONIA.^Supri),vol S.foL 197. 



C. peduncularis ; glabra, foliis ovato-lanceolatis acuminatis sessilibus 3-5-veniis 

 intemodiis subbrevioribus, pedunculis uiiifloris foliis longioribus, calyce tubo 

 corollce breviore, caule teretL 

 C. trinervis. Hort. nee Linn. 



Frutex diffusus, 3-4-pedalis, atroviridis, glaber, succo amarissimo sub- 

 lacteo scatens. Internodia basi purpurascentia. Folia 3-5-venia, 2-poll. 

 longa, scepe intemodiis breviora. Pedunculi axillares et terminates, foliis 

 duplh longiores, uniflori. Calyx 5-partitus, laciniis linearibus acuminatis, 

 tubo corollcB brevioribus. Corolla persistens, tubo gracili viridi semun- 

 ciali, limbo patente 5-partito, purpurea, ejusdem longitudinis ; laciniis 

 ovatis acutis post anthesin convolutis. Stamina 5, fauce tubi inserta, a 

 stylo aversa, exserta ; antheris linearibus poro duplici apicis dehiscentibus, 

 defloratis rectis. Ovarium teres, acuminatum, uniloculare marginibus car- 

 jjellorum 4 infiexis ovuliferis ; stylo continuo ; stigmate dilatato bilobo. Fruc- 

 tus semimaturus carnosus, amarissimus. 



A very pretty greenhouse shrub, covered with a succes- 

 sion of purple flowers from July to October, and propagated 

 freely by cuttings. 



Nothing can be easier than its management, as it grows 

 in any kind of soil, will thrive out of doors in summer, and 

 will survive the winter without injury in a very indifferent 

 greenhouse. 



* Named in honour of Chiron the Centaur, one of tlic earliest medical prac- 

 titioners whose names have been preserved. The intense bitterness of the genus 

 indicates its powerful tonic properties. 



