38. 



GENTIANA ASCLEPIADEA. 



Swallow-wort Gentian. 



Pentandrta. Digynia. 



Class 5. Order 2. 



Linn. spec. 329. Bot. Mag. 1078. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Vide Gentiana acaulis. PI. 2. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 



Corolla five-cleft, bell-shaped, opposite, sessile. Leaves stem-clasp- 

 ing. 



Stem upright, about one foot in height. Leaves smooth, em- 

 bracing the stem, and terminating in an acute point : they are 

 strono-ly marked with veins terminating at the point. Flowers 

 bell-shaped, in pairs, and of a beautiful blue. This species is 

 sometimes confounded with G. septenifida, as the corolla is 

 sometimes six- or seven-cleft ; but it may be distinguished in 

 having the flowers in a spike nearly half down the stalk. 



The interesting species of this tribe of plants demand the 

 attention of every cultivator and admirer of flowers: they 

 form a leading feature in almost every flower-border ; nor are 

 they wanting among the ornaments on rock-work. Some of 



