1871.] HAEDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 39 



instead of five segments, giving tlie appearance of a cross when open, 

 liencd the significance of the name ; but it is farther descriptive of the 

 arrangement of the leaves, which are rather closely packed in four rows 

 along the stems. The flowers are deep blue, arranged in whorls or 

 clusters in the axils at the upper ends of the stems. Height about 9 

 inches or 1 foot. Flowers in June and July. Native of dry moun- 

 tain-pastures on the great ranges of central and southern Europe. 

 May be cultivated without much difficulty in any moderately good 

 garden loam in the open border or rockwork, and is handsome and 

 distinct. 



G. gelida — Pale-hlue Siberian Gentian. — A very beautiful species 

 growing about 1 foot high, with rather diffuse stems and lance-shaped 

 leaves. The flowers are bright pale blue, rather openly bell-shaped, 

 produced in clusters in the axils of the upper leaves, appearing in June 

 and July. Native of Siberia. Succeeds well in border or on rock- 

 work in moist peaty loam, sandy and well drained. 



G. lutea — Large yelloio Gentian. — The roots of this species supply 

 the greater bulk of bitter Gentian of the druggists. It is the largest 

 and most bulky of the Gentians known to cultivation, reaching the 

 height of 3 or 4 feet, with erect strong stems. The leaves are broadly 

 egg-shaped, and ample. The flowers are produced in dense whorls in 

 the upper part of the stems, the full inflorescence having the appear- 

 ance of a long whorled spike ; they are yellow, and appear in June and 

 July. Native of high mountain -meadows in central and southern 

 Europe. It is a striking border-plant, both on account of the broad 

 ample leaves and the inflorescence, which, though not so showy in 

 colour as that of many, is very distinct. Very deep, rich, moist loam 

 suits it best. 



G. pneumonanthe — Marsh Gentian. — A British species, though not 

 common. It grows about 9 inches or 1 foot high. The leaves are 

 oblong, lance-shaped. Flowers long, deep blue, lined on the outside 

 with green, produced in the axils in the upper part of the stems, and 

 appearing in August and September. Flourishes best in rich, peaty, 

 sandy loam, moist, but weU drained, and succeeds in either border or , 

 rockwork. It is a very common plant in moist pastures in hilly coun- 

 tries throughout Europe and Northern Asia. 



G. punctata — Yelloio -spotted Gentian. — A strong-growing plant 

 about 2 feet high, with erect strong stems. The leaves are oval, 

 on short stalks. The flowers are produced in clusters at the extremi- 

 ties of the stems, and are pale yellow, spotted with purple. Flowers in 

 June and July. The plant is a native of high alpine pastures on the 

 great mountain-ranges of Europe. It succeeds well in the mixed bor- 

 der in deep sandy loam. 



