336 PLANTS OF NEW ZEALAND 



Genus Geniostoma. 



Shrubs. Flowers small, axillary. Calyx 5-cleft. Corolla bell-shai)ed, 

 5-parted. Stamens 5. Fruit a capsule. The genus is also found in Madagascar 

 and the Bourbon Islands, and in the Asiatic and Polynesian Islands. (Name from 

 the Greek, signifying bearded mouth, in allusion to the hairs at the mouth of the 

 corolla). 1 sp. 



Geniostoma ligustrifolium (The Privet-leaved Geniostoma). 



A small tree, with shining, pale-green leaves. Leaves ljin.-3in. long, ovate- 

 oblong, membranous, pointed. Flowers in short corymbs on the branches, J in. 

 across, green or white. Corolla lobes reflexed. Stigma large, 2-lobed. Capside 

 round, pointed, ^in. in diameter, valves separating from the placentiferous axis. 

 North Island : not uncommon. Fl. Sept. -Oct. 



Gentianaceae. 



The Gentian Family. 



Distribution. — The plants of this family range over the entire globe. 

 They contain a bitter tonic principle, which is used medicinally. The New 

 Zealand species are chiefly alpine, but the little pink Centaury {ErythrcBa 

 Centaurium), an introduced plant, is common on waste ground throughout the 

 Colony. The Gentians are the most striking flowers of the European Alps. 



Key to tlie Genera, 



Flowers large, ovary with one style. Gentiana,]). 336. 



Flowers small, ovary with 2 styles. *Sebaea. 



*Not further described. 



Gemis Gentiana. 



Erect herbs, with opposite leaves, and solitary or cyniose flowers. Cah^x 

 4-5-cleft. Corolla bell-shaped, 4-5-cleft. Flowers blue, yellow, or white, large 

 and conspicuous. 6 sp. 



Gentiana saxosa {The Gentian of the Rocks). 

 An erect herb. Stem-leaves few. Flowers lafge, | in. long, white, 

 numeroiis. Eoot-leaves usually in a rosette, ^ in. -3 in. long, often thick and 

 fleshy. Both islands : in mountainous districts. Fl. Feb. -March. 



Gentiana cerina {The Waxy Gentian). 



A trailing herb, with shining leaves, and thick fleshy stems. Flowers 

 crowded at the ends of the branches, i in. long. Corolla white, striped with 

 reddish-purple. Auckland Islands. 



