The Short-Leaved Gentian 



(GENTIANA BRACHTPHTLLA) 



A PARTICULARLY fine group of this beautiful little Gentian 

 is here photographed. It is typical of the high Alps or 

 snow region, and is rarely found below 6000 feet, and while 

 scarce above 9000 is to be gathered even at 12,000 feet on 

 the Matterhorn. But a single flower is borne by each little 

 plant at the top of a short stem, which also bears the small, 

 thick, closely packed leaves. The plant is found growing in 

 the turf of mountain pastures and rocky places in the central 

 parts of the whole Alpine chain. It is moderately common 

 particularly on primary rock, and is also met with in Dauphiny 

 and the Pyrenees. 



Of the twenty or more species of Gentian that occur in 

 Switzerland, some are tall, stately plants, bearing numerous 

 blue, yellow, or purple flowers. Others are much smaller 

 and bear relatively few flowers, or even one only in small 

 feeble plants. A few never have more than a single 

 blossom to each little plant. Among these last are the 

 Stemless Gentian wi'th its bell-shaped flower, figured on the 

 previous plate, and the Short-leaved Gentian with its star-like 

 flower, which we here illustrate. As a matter of fact, there 

 are really three single-flowered Star-Gentians and to dis- 

 tinguish between them is not easy. Of these the Bavarian 

 Gentian (Gent i ana bavarica) is recognised from our plant by 



