GAMOPETAL^ 107 



The seeds are blown out of the ripe capsule by the 

 wind. 



Great Centaury, More Centaury, Yellow Centaury, 

 Yellow Sanctuary, Yellow-wort are the common 

 names bestowed upon this plant. 



Chlora perfoliata. — In Fig, 25 the perfoliate 

 leaves below each fork of the terminal cymes are well 

 shown, also the filiform sepals, 



Felwort {Gentiana Amarella). 



As a whole the Gentians are distinctly uncommon, 

 and the young botanist or the beginner is generally 

 delighted when he or she is fortunate enough to dis- 

 cover any one of the several British species. 



In the British Isles the Felwort or Autumnal 

 Gentian is found in all parts as far north as the 

 Shetlands. It is also found at an altitude of 2100 ft. 

 in Yorkshire. It is native in Scotland and Ireland. 



The habitat is dry hilly pastures, and heaths, or 

 calcareous fields. Unlike some plants fond of chalk 

 or limestone Felwort grows on siliceous soils in 

 Nardus pasture. When it is found on limestone it 

 is usually on grassland or heath, and on chalk in the 

 same sort of habitat. 



Most of the Gentians are erect in habit. The stem 

 is branched, bearing above many flowers. It may be 

 a livid green or purple in colour. The leaves are 

 lance-shaped, or ovate, and stalkless, the radical leaves 

 being oval to spoon-shaped. 



