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 praiensis 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. 



