132 THE TASMANIAN FLORA. 



3. GENTIANA. 



Calyx deeply 5 or 4-lobed. Corolla-tube variable, but sbort in Tasmanian 

 species. Lobes rather long. Stamens attached in the corolla-tube. Ovary 

 1-celled, with 2 parietal placentas. Style persistent, very short. Stigma nearly 

 sessile. 



A very large genus in the Northern Hemisphere. Represented in Australia 

 by but one species. 



G. SAXOSA, Forst. An erect plant, simple or branched, annual or the stock 

 becoming perennial in favourable situations, a few to 18 inches high. Lower 

 leaves clustered at base of stem, spathulate, stalked, often 2-3 inches long ; stem- 

 leaves opposite, sessile, lanceolate, mostly -J-l inch long. Inflorescence solitary, 

 a leafy raceme, trichotomous cyme, or compact corymb, according to vigour of 

 plant. Flowers on long or short stalks. Calyx about ^ inch long, the lobes 

 lanceolate, acute. Corolla broadly campanulate, ^-1| inch long, white, purple^ 

 or variously striped, tube very short. Lobes obovate. Capsule narrow, much 

 exceeding the calyx. G. montajia, Hook. " Fl. Tas." and Benth. " Fl. Aust." 



Very common, but principally at a considerable altitude. It occurs also in New- 

 South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia ; likewise in New Zealand and 

 South America. Fl. spring and summer. 



4. LIMNANTHEMUM. 



Calyx 6-cleft nearly to the base. Corolla-tube very short, expanding. Lobes 

 5, very spreading. Stamens inserted into corolla- tube. Ovary 1 -celled, with 2 

 parietal placentas. Fruit capsular, and opening into 4 valves, or coriaceous and 

 bursting irregularly, or more or less succulent and indehiscent. 



A rather large genus, of varied development 'and wide distribution, occurring- 

 in South Africa and North America. I have preferred to follow von 

 Mueller in incorporating the three genera, Limriaritkemum, VilLirda, and 

 Lvparo'phyllum.. 



Leaves broadly ovate to orbicular. 



Plant erect. Flowers large I. L.exaltatum. 



Plant creeping. Flowers about 2 lines ... ... 2. L. exiguum. 



Leaves linear .3. L. gunnii. 



1. L. EXALTATDM, F. V. M. An erect plant, varying from 6 inches to many 

 feet. Leaves usually all radical, on long stalks, and reniform, occasionally 

 obscurely toothed and cordate, often floating, 1-3 inches diameter. Flowers, 

 usually numerous, in spreading, irregular, terminal panicles, each branch 

 subtended by a linear leaf-like bract. Calyx-lobes lanceolate, exceeding \ inch. 

 Corolla sulphur-yellow, about 1 inch diameter, copiously fringed at the base of 

 the lobes. Stigmatic lobes ovate, thick. Capsule opening in 4 valves. Villarsia 

 reniformh, Benth. ; Villarsia parti asdfolia, Hook. 



Very common in -ssrater and marshes. When removed from water leaves often 

 ovate. It occurs also in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South 

 Australia. Fl. summer. 



2. L. BXiGDUM, F. V. M. A small plant, creeping and tufted, forming tangled 

 masses in mud. Leaves nearly orbicular, about 3 lines diameter, mostly on very 

 long slender stalks. Flowers solitary, or 2 or 3 together, on shorter stalks than 

 the leaves. Calyx about 2 lines long, the lobes as long as the tube. Corolla 

 yellow, about as long as the calyx, or rather longer. Style short, with short 

 broad stigmatic lobes. Seeds few, globose, black and shining when ripe. 



Southport, Huonville, Mount Field East, Blessington, &c. Probably very 

 common. Fl. Dec. -Jan. 



