296 THE ALPINE FLORA 



JL. sylvestris (Silene diurna, JWelandrium diurnum] (PI. 

 XXI 1). Atallishplant, downy, with stems at first prostrate, 

 then ascending; leaves ovate, Jarge and soft; flowers of 

 a purple-rose, in loose, spreading cyme; calyx coloured, 

 swollen and hairy. June-August. Cool meadows of the 

 Alps and Jura. 



L. viscaria* (Viscaria vulgaris) (PL XXI II). Stems 

 erect, stiff, viscid; leaves narrow, oblong-lanceolate; 

 flowers brilliant carmine, with connate petals, forming a 

 lengthened, terminal cyme. Pastures of granitic Alps, 

 from 800 to i5oo m. There is a variety with pure white 

 flowers and another with double flowers. 



L. alpina* is a small plant, a diminutive species of the 

 preceeding; stem 2-6 in.; leaves linear, ovate, of a green 

 slightly tinged with blue, arranged in rosettes at the base; 

 flowers small, numerous, vivid carmine, with petals deeply 

 bi-fid and united in small, compact cymes. July-August. 

 Granitic Alps in the dry pastures of the alpine zone. 



L. rios-Jovis (PI. XXIII). Hairy plant, with erect 

 stems, and Jarge, lanceolate, cottony leaves; flowers of 

 a clear carmine, arranged in flat bunches. July-August. 

 Rocky and sunny pastures of the Alps (iooo-i5oo m.). 

 A beautiful, white-flowered variety is found in the 

 Turtmanthal. 



Mcehringia 



The sepals and petals vary from 4-5, with twice as 

 many stamens; two or three styles; fruit capsular, ovoid 

 in shape, containing small glossy black seeds. 



M. muscosa (PJ. XXIV). Small, slender, mossy plant, 

 with innumerable, spreading stems, furnished with little, 

 narrow, filiform leaves, of clear green; flowers small, 

 pure white, numerous, with four cruciform petals. May- 

 September. Moist, shady places in limestone. Excellent 

 for planting in cool parts of chalky rock-word or old walls. 



