196 GENTIAN ACE^. 



G. pyrenaica (Pyre?tean G.) — This is one of the high alpina 

 species. It grows only a few inches high, with branching, 

 spreading stems. The leaves are narrow lance-shaped. The 

 flowers are deep blue, divided into ten segments, each alternate 

 one being smaller and more angular than the principal or re- 

 presentative five. They appear in June and July. Native of 

 lofty stations on the Pyrenees. 



G. saponaria {Soapwort-leaved G.) — A good and accommo- 

 dating border-plant, growing i or 2 feet high. The stems are as- 

 cending, and clothed with broadly-lance-shaped leaves. The 

 flowers are stalkless, in rather close heads at the extremities of 

 the stems ; they are blue and barrel-shaped, being almost closed 

 at the mouth, which is cut into ten nearly equal segments. 

 They appear in August and September. Native of North 

 America. This is one of the most easily cultivated species, 

 thriving in any ordinary garden-soil. 



G. septemfida {Crested G.) — A very handsome species, suit- 

 able only for culture on rockwork, except where moist peaty 

 borders exist, when it may be successfully grown on the level ; 

 but it delights most in peat, or sandy loam and peat, whatso- 

 ever station it may occupy. The plant forms tufts about 9 

 inches high. The leaves are lance-shaped, rather broadly so, 

 and distinctly three-veined. The flowers are large, bright blue, 

 with a white-and-blue spotted throat ; and the smaller alternate 

 segments are finely cut. Flowers in August and September. 

 Native of the Caucasus. 



G. verna ( Ver?tal G.) — One of the smallest and most beau- 

 tiful of Gentians. It grows only i or 2 inches high, and has 

 the same close matting style of growth as G. acaidis ; but is 

 even more dense and compact than that plant. The leaves 

 are hard, small, and oblong in shape. The flowers are borne 

 on short stems, often barely carr^'ing the whole length of the 

 tube of the flower above the mat of leaves ; they are funnel- 

 shaped, and divided at the mouth in five spreading, rather 

 broad lobes, having intermediate and smaller lobes, slightly 

 cut or crested, between. They appear in April and May. The 

 plant is a native of high alpine pastures, and is often coddled 

 and vexed to death in cultivation. Although a tiny plant, it 

 requires a deep, rich, cool, sandy loam to grow in, and a good 

 open exposure ; and, like all, or nearly all. Gentians, water in 

 abundance is necessary during the growing season. The rock- 

 work is the best place for it, where, if the natural soil is not 

 what it flourishes best in, a suitable compost may be provided 

 for it ; but if suitable, it may be tried with every confidence in 

 the open border. 



