SPECIES AND VARIETIES. 59 



(63) Primula. Primrose. 



P. vulgaris : leaves oblong-ovate_, wrinkled, crenate, narrow- 

 ing gradually into the footstalks ; scapes single-flowered ; flow- 

 ers erect, pale yellow, with a flat limb. — Woods and thickets. 

 Fl. April, May. 



Var. umbellata, flowers umbellate, oxlip-like. — Pastures. 



P. veris : leaves ovate, contracted below, wrinkled, crenate ; 

 scapes umbellate, many-flowered ; flowers small, nodding, deep 

 yellow, with a concave limb, the segments cordate. — Cowslip 

 or Paigle. — Meadows and pastures. Fl. April, May. 



These two plants are sometimes, perhaps correctly, regarded 

 as varieties of one species. It is probable that many hybrids 

 are formed between them, many of which are mistaken for 

 the true P. elatior. 



P. elatior : leaves ovate, contracted below, wrinkled, denti- 

 culate ; scapes umbellate, many-flowered ; flowers large, nod- 

 ding, yellow, with a somewhat concave limb, the segments 

 cordate-oblong. — Oxlip. — Pastures, rare. FL April, May. 



(64) Vinca. Periwinkle^ 



V. major ; stems ascending ; leaves broadly ovate, fringed ; 

 flowers large, purplish-blue, the calyx-segments ciliate at the 

 margin. — Woods and shady banks. Fl. May. 



V. minor : stems procumbent ; leaves narrow-ovate, smooth- 

 edged ; flowers smaller, blue, the calyx-segments quite smooth. 

 —Thickets. Fl. May. 



(65) Gentiana. Gentian. 



G. verna : dwarf, tufted ; lower leaves ovate or oblong, 

 crowded ; flowers large, vivid blue, salver- shaped, solitary on 

 the short simple flower-stems, 5-lobed, with small interme- 

 diate bitid segments. — Mountain pastures. Fl. April. 



