The Stemless Gentian 



(GENTUNA ACAULIS) 



MANY species of Gentian are met with in the Alps. One of 

 the best known of the smaller varieties is the Stemless 

 Gentian or Gentianella, which is a frequent inhabitant of 

 heaths, meadows and pastures all over the higher parts of 

 Switzerland, and is also found in the Jura and Carpathians, 

 being less common on limestone soil and more abundant on 

 primary granitic rock. The plant grows at an altitude of 

 4000 to 8000 feet, and flowers in June, July, and August. 

 Occasionally it descends much lower and may even be found 

 below 1500 feet in a few special localities. Each plant 

 consists of a small rosette of leaves, a very short stem, and 

 a single bell-shaped flower of deep azure blue. Very often 

 two or three plants are found growing together and a small 

 group such as that photographed is not infrequent. 

 Occasionally also specimens with pale blue, rose red or 

 even white flowers may be seen. When the flower has 

 been fertilised, and while the seeds are maturing, the brightly 

 coloured corolla shrivels up and surrounds the seed vessel, 

 at the same time becoming of a green colour and perhaps 

 taking on a vegetative function. The leaves are rather 

 leathery, narrow, and pointed. 



It is often quite a difficult matter to distinguish between 

 the Stemless Gentian, here illustrated, and the Carved 



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