GENTIANE^E 



235 



Stem slightly ribbed ; internodes of the seedling mostly of the 

 same length, from 8-10 mm. long. 



Primary leaves cauline, opposite, decussate, obtusely ovate 

 shining, green, trinerved, with a midrib and two lateral nerves 

 parallel to the edges, and meeting at the apex. 



Orphium frutescens, E. Hey. (fig. 524). 



Hypocotyl erect, terete, glabrous, pale green, 4-11 mm. long. 

 Cotyledons shortly linear, obtuse, flattened above, convex on the 

 back, sessile and slightly connate at the base, glabrous, deep green 

 shining when young, 5-6 mm. long, 1-1-25 mm. wide, frequently 

 carrying up the seed on their 

 tips during germination. 



Stem erect, terete, light 

 green when young, thinly 

 pubescent, with a shallow 

 furrow on alternate sides 

 from where the edges of the 

 leaves unite at their bases 

 and seem to be decurrent on 

 the stem down to the next 

 node, ultimately shrubby ; 

 1st internode 4-6*5 mm. 

 long ; 2nd 5-10*5 mm. ; 3rd 

 1-3-2 cm. 



Leaves simple, entire, 

 cauline, opposite, decussate, 

 exstipulate, sessile, with an 

 evident midrib but no other 

 discernible venation, fleshy, 

 deep shining green in the 

 young state, thinly pubescent 

 and densely marked all over 

 with minute pale grey or 



colourless dots, tomentoso-pubescent or glabrous in the adult state, 

 spreading, often curving upwards above the middle, and sometimes 

 slightly twisted. 



First pair linear-spathulate, suddenly tapered to a subacute tip. 



Second to fifth pairs linear-spathulate, gradually longer, more 

 obtuse, and the uppermost more decidedly linear, gradually taper- 

 ing to a subclasping and very shortly connate base. 



Ultimate leaves linear or oblong, thick and rather fleshy. 



FIG. 524. Orphium frutescens. Nat. siz 



