120 MEDICINAL HERBS AND POISONOUS PLANTS 



3- The stamens alternate with the petals (compare 



Priinulacea3). 

 4. The ovaiy is superior. 



Bitter principles predominate in the members of this 

 order,, so that we find them used as tonics, among which 

 they rank very high. 



Fig. 74. —Yellow Gentian {Gentiaaa Ititea) 

 a, Upper part of flower spike, b, Fruit, c. Part of rhizome, d, Part of root 



Yellow Gextian {Gentiana lutea). 



Although a 



native of Central and Soutliern Europe, this plant 

 grows readily in this country. It reaches from 2 to 

 4 feet in height, and forms yellow flowers in July- 

 The dried rhizome and roots furnish one of the most 

 widely used tonic-bitters. The Swiss and Tyrol fse use 



the rhizome to manufacture a "gentian brandy" which 



