GENTIANS 383 



also met with. G. lutea and G. cruciata were the first of the exotic 

 species to find their way into English gardens, and this was at some 

 date anterior to 1596. There can be little doubt that when these were 

 first introduced it was not for the purpose of embellishing borders, but 

 in the case of G. lutea because of the tonic properties of its roots, for 

 which reason it is still imported in quantity with others to be used in 

 medicinal preparations. G. cruc lata was in request because the astrologer- 

 herbalists attached great importance to the fact that its opposite leaves 

 grow crosswise (decussate). G. asclepiadea appears to have been the 

 first species introduced (1629) for the sake of its flowers. During the 

 last fifteen years a number of new species have been introduced from 

 Himalaya and Turkestan. 



Gentiana ACAULIS (stemless). Gentianella ; Dwarf- 

 nncip c ®^-Qg^^jg^j^_ stems angled, 2 to 4 inches high. Leaves egg- 

 shaped, opposite, stem-clasping. Flowers large, 2 inches long, solitary, 

 terminal, of an intense blue, streaked with yellow outside, the throat 

 spotted ; March to May. Native of the Alps and Pyrenees. Plate 183. 



G. Andrewsii (Andrews'). Stem 1 to 2 feet high, round. Leaves 

 oblong -lance -shaped. Flowers blue in close clusters, terminal and 

 axillary; August. Introduced from North America, 1776. 



G. asclepiadea (Swallow-wort-like). Stems faintly four-angled, 

 G to 18 inches high. Leaves oval-lance-shaped, stem-clasping, with turned- 

 back edges. Flowers deep blue, in terminal clusters, or singly from the 

 axils; July. Introduced from Austria, 1629. There is a white- 

 flowered variety. 



G. CRUCIATA (crossed). Stems rounded, 6 inches high. Leaves 

 broad-lance-shaped, the bases joined. Flowers in terminal and axillary 

 clusters, pale blue, the throat dotted with green; June and July. 

 Introduced from Austria, 1596. 



G. GELIDA (icy). Stems four-angled, 6 inches high. Leaves lance- 

 shaped. Flowers purplish blue ; June and July. Introduced from the 

 Caucasus, 1807. 



G. Pneumonanthe (Wind-flower). Heath Gentian. Stems 1 to 2 

 feet high, slender. Leaves narrow oblong. Flowers bright blue ; August 

 and September. Native. 



G. Verna (spring). Spring Gentian. Stem 2 to 3 inches high. 

 Leaves oblong. Flowers bright blue ; May and June. Native. 



The foregoing species are all hardy perennials, and 

 form a mere sample from a long list of species suitable for 

 garden purposes. But their place is not in the flower-bed ; they are 

 rather plants for the mixed border, the rock-garden, and the cold green- 



