282 SUB-ALPINE PLANTS 



Gagea minima Ker-Gawler. 



The smallest species. A single linear root-leaf. Perianth- 

 segments lanceolate-acuminate, with point curved outwards. 

 Flowers 2-5 on glabrous pedicels. Bract solitary. Bulbs 2. 



Alpine and sub-alpine pastures ; rare. June. 



Distribution. Switzerland. 



Gagea pratensis Dumort. (G. stenopetala Reich.). 



Bulbs 2-4, without a common sheath. Plant downy, with 

 glabrous pedicels. Stems 3-8 inches high. One solitary root-leaf, 

 linear, narrower at each end. Stem-leaves 2, close to the umbel of 

 2-5 large flowers. 



Fields and pastures. April, May. 



Distribution. Central and Southern Europe, including Switzer- 

 land. 



SCILLA L. 



Bulbous plants with radical leaves. Flowers blue, mauve, or 

 rarely pink, in a terminal raceme. Stamens inserted on the 

 perianth, below the centre of the segments. Capsule globular or 

 trigonous, membranous. 



Scilla bifolia L. 



Plant 6-10 inches high, with 2 linear-lanceolate, spreading leaves. 

 Stem hollow. Inflorescence short, lax, few-flowered. Pedicels 

 erect, the lower ones several times as long as the azure-blue flowers. 



Hedges, orchards, and thickets. April. 



Distribution. Switzerland, France (except west and extreme 

 south), S. Central Europe, extending to the Caucasus and Asia 

 Minor. 



In Switzerland this takes the place of our Bluebell (Endymion 

 nutans), which is entirely absent from that country, though it 

 appears in the lower Pyrenees. 



TULIPA L. Tulip. 



Flowers large, solitary, on a leafy scape. Sepals and petals 

 distinct. Stamens hypogynous. Stigma sessile, with spreading 

 lobes. Leaves broad. 



Tulipa sylvestris L. 



Stem about a foot high, with usually 3 linear-lanceolate-acuminate 

 leaves and a single terminal yellow flower, drooping in the bud, 

 nearly erect when fully out. Perianth-segments acuminate. 



Fields, meadows, vineyards, etc., in colonies. May, June. 



Distribution. Central and Southern Europe, doubtfully native 

 in Switzerland and still more so in England. 



