CONVOLVULACE^: 



103 



Obtuse-leaved Gentian — Gentiana obtusifolia 



(Plate LX) 



We have several British species of Gentian, all 

 with blue or lilac flowers, but they are much more 

 numerous on the Continent ; and the species 

 figured on our plate is a mountain form (not 

 British), which flowers in August. The fibrous 

 root is almost woody, and throws off several root- 

 lets. The root-leaves spread out in a rosette, and 

 are ovate; the leaves on the stem are sessile, 

 opposite, and lanceolate, half embracing the stem 

 at the base. The stem is angular, smooth, and 

 branching. The calyx is bell-shaped, quinque- 

 partite for half its length, narrowed towards the 

 base, and then somewhat inflated, with lanceolate 

 bracts. The corolla also divides into 5 blue 

 petals above the tube, which are pointed at 

 the tip, fringed with long hairs inside, and yellow 

 towards the base. The stamens are separate, 

 and project from the opening of the tube of the 

 corolla. 



Order LI I. Polemoniacece (1 genus) 



The only British representative of this Order is 

 called Jacob's Ladder {Polemonium azsulum), and 

 is a rather scarce plant found in damp meadows, 

 or on the borders of woods. The leaves are 

 pinnate, the leaflets ovate-lanceolate and alternate. 

 The stem is nearly two feet high, and the flowers 

 are terminal, rather numerous, and blue, or 

 occasionally white. They are bell-shaped or 

 wheel-shaped, the tube being short ; the calyx 

 and corolla are quinquepartite, and there are 5 

 stamens, 3 stigmas, and 3 cells in the ovary and 

 seed-capsule. 



To this Order belong the favourite garden flowers 

 known as Phlox. 



Order LI II. Convolvulacece (2 genera) 



These are climbing or trailing plants, with regular 

 flowers, the calyx with 4 or 5 sepals, the corolla 

 tubular and almost trumpet-shaped, with 4 or 5 

 petals, and as many stamens. 



