Sebea.| GENTIANES. 445 
A large and very natural order, found nearly all over the world, but most 
abundant in the mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Genera 
about 50; species estimated at 500, almost without exception possessing bitter 
and tonic properties. The yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) produces gentian- 
root, one of the earliest-known medicines, and still frequently used. Other 
species of Gentiana and of the allied genera Hrythrea, Chlora, Frasera, 
Sabbatia, &c., have very similar qualities. Of the 3 genera found in New 
Zealand, Gentiana has the range of the whole order ; Sebea occurs in Australia, 
eastern ‘Asia, and South Africa; while Liparophyllum is sounast to Tasmania 
and New Zealand. 
* Leaves opposite. Corolla-lobes contorted in bud. 
Flowers small. Corolla cylindric; lobes spreading. 
Ovary 2-celled. Style deciduous : .. 1, SEBaA, 
Flowers large. Corolla campanulate ¢ or rotate. Ovary 
1-celled. Style persistent .. ue We .. 2. GENTIANA. 
** Leaves alternate or tufted. Corolla-lobes induplicate-valvate. 
Small herb with linear tufted leaves. Fruit fleshy .. 3. LIPAROPHYLLUM. 
1. SEBABA, R. Br. 
Hrect glabrous annual herbs. Leaves sinall, opposite, sessile. 
Flowers small, yellow, in terminal dichotomous cymes. Calyx 
4-5-partite; segments often keeled or winged. Corolla - tube 
eylindric ; lobes 4-5, spreading, contorted in the bud. Stamens 
4-5, affixed to the throat or tube of the cor olla ; filaments short ; 
anthers oblong, introrse, straight or recurved at the tips. Ovary 
completely 2-celled, placentas large, adnate to the septum; style 
filiform ; stigma clavate or capitate. Capsule globose or ovoid, 
septicidally 2-valved. Seeds numerous, minute; testa reticulated. 
A genus comprising about 20 species, found in tropical and southern Africa, 
Madagascar, the Himalayas, Australia, and New Zealand. The single New 
Zealand species is also Australian. 
1. S. ovata, &. Br. Prodr. 452.— A simple or sparingly 
branched annual herb 4-8in. high; stems 4-angled. Leaves few, 
in distant pairs, sessile, }-}in. long, broadly ovate or orbicular- 
ovate. obtuse or subacute. Flowers small, + in. long, pale-yellow, 
in a terminal dichotomous cyme, with a flower in each axil. Calyx- 
segments 5, ovate-lanceolate, acute, keeled. Corolla with a long 
straight tube and 5 short lobes which are twisted after flowering. 
Anthers linear- oblong, with a gland at the tip. Style short. 
Capsule oblong. — Hook. Ve ate Nov. Zel. i. WSs Hands NZ. FT. 
191; Benth. Fi. Austral. iv. 371. S. gracilis, A. Cunn. Precur. 
n. 400; Raoul, Chor, 44. 
Norts Isnanp: Bogs at Mangamuka, Hokianga, R. Cunningham ; Hawke's 
Bay, Colenso ! Hamilton ! Tryon! SoutH Istanp: Canterbury—Near Christ- 
church, Armstrong ; Port Cooper, Lyall; Lake Ellesmere and other localities 
on the Canterbury Plains, Kirk! Otago—Buchanan! Apparently a rare and 
local plant in New Zealand, but common in many parts of Australia. 
