220 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
soils, not. subject to the attacks of mildew, thrip, or spi- 
der, and yielding a succession of bloom from June until 
November. 
GENTIANA.—GENTIAN. 
(So called from Gentius, King of Illyria.} 
The Gentians are very numerous; they are very diffi- 
cult to preserve in gardens, and the European varieties 
are not much known in this country, although there are 
some beautiful alpine species cultivated in Europe. 
Gentiana Sapondria,—Soap-wort Gentian.—A very 
fine indigenous plant, distinguished by its large purple 
flowers, which are so nearly closed at the top as to re- 
semble buds; sometimes the flowers are white and vari- 
egated. It is found in moist woods and by the margin 
of streams. It may be transplanted to the garden with- 
out difficulty ; it grows one and one-half to two feet high ; 
in flower in September and October. 
Gentidna crinita.—Fringed Gentian.—This Gentian is 
exceeded by few native plants, in the delicacy and beau- 
ty of its flowers. The stems are divided toward the top 
into several erect branches. The leaves are opposite, 
ovate-lanceolate, smaller than in G. Saponaria. Flowers 
erect on the ends of the branches. Segments of the co- 
rolla of a deep fine purple, fringed at the end, expanded 
in the sun, erect and twisted at other times; one foot 
high. Found in bloom in moist places in September and 
October. This is a very difficult plant to remove success- 
fully ; probably the only way to propagate it, is by seed, 
but it flowers so late I have never found the seed ripe 
enough to vegetate. It is a great pity that it cannot be 
cultivated, for it is one of our handsomest indigenous 
plants. 
