44 FLOWERS OV THK HILLS AM) DRV I'LACES 



The llowcrs arc decp-purpIe or lilac or white, numerous, with a 

 salver-shaped corolla, which is 4-clert, and fringed with hairs in the 

 mouth, thicker upwards. The calyx is 4-cleft, the sepals acute, two 

 large or wider, and two small, overlapped by the larger ones. The 

 capsule is nearly stalkless. 



The stem is 3 6 in. high. Field Gentian llowers in the auliinm 

 in .August and September. Being annual it is propagated by .seeds. 

 It is worth cultivating in gardens. In alpine regions it is biennial. 



The Field Gentian is adapted for pollination by long-lipped insects. 

 such as hmnljle bees, and the llower is simil.u' in general structure to 

 C jlniarc/la} It is sometimes homogamoLis, anthers and stigma 

 maturing together; sometimes proterandrous, anthers ripening first. 

 In wet weather the plant may also be cleistogamous. 



The capsule splits open by septa when ri];)e, containing numerous 

 seeds, which are liberated and fall out ar(.)und the p.irenl plant. 



As with Ci. Ainarc/la. this Cjentian is a liumus-lo\ing plant antl 

 requires a humus soil. 



A cluster-cup fungus, Piicciiiia ^cutiano', attacks the leaves, as in 

 the case of the Autumn Gentian. 



The second Latin name refers to its habitat, dry pastures. 



The only names by which Field Gentian is known are Baldmoney 

 and laitterwort. The bitter root is used on account of its astringent 

 properties. 



ESSF.NTI.A.L Sl'KCIFIC CHARACTERS: — , 



2 11. Gcutiamx caiupcsti-is, L. — Stem erect, branched, leaves ovate 

 lanceolate, flowers lilac, caly.x 4-cleft, 2 outer lobes larger. 



Wild Thyme (Thymus Serpylluni. L.) 



Like other Arctic plants, Wild Thyme is an ancient species, found 

 in Late Glacial deposits at Greenock. It is distributed in the Arctic 

 and Temperate regions in Arctic Europe, Siberia, Dahuria, W. Asia 

 as far east as the Himalayas, Greenland, and in N. America it has 

 been introduced only. It is found throughout Great Britain, and if 

 there has been no confusion between this and Th. Cliania-drys, up tti 

 3500 ft. in the Highlands. 



So familiar and sweet-scented a flower arrested the attention of the 

 poet of human nature, who recalls — 



" 1 know a l)ank wlicrc tlie wild tliyme blows"; 



'The sligmas are soniolinies .it llie .'^ame level as tlie aiulieis or lower, or they may project beyond 

 them. Kveiitually they bend over and the plant nia_\- be self-pollinated. 



