Gentianacea—Gentiana. 203 
high, remarkable on account of the leaves being joined to- 
gether or connate by their bases. The bright yellow flowers 
are borne in trichotomous cymes. There is a fine variety in 
cultivation with flowers about an inch in diameter called gran- 
diflora. Besides the above we may mention the Centaury, 
Erythrta Centairium, a pretty annual with small pink or 
white flowers; and Gentidima Pnewmoninthe, a perennial 
species from 1 to 2 feet high, bearing large deep blue flowers 
towards the end of Summer. 
l. GENTIANA. 
Perennial or annual herbs. Leaves opposite, often ribbed. 
Flowers regular, solitary or cymose, often very brilliantly 
coloured. Calyx 4- or 5-lobed or spathaceous. Corolla funnel- 
or salver-shaped, 4- or 5-lobed, or rarely more; throat of 
the tube naked or bearded, or furnished with scales. Stamens 
4or 5. Fruit a 2-valved 1-celled many-seeded capsule. This 
is an extremely beautiful genus of plants, comprising about 
150 species, found in nearly all temperate and alpine regions. 
Gentiana is the classical name for some of the species. 
1. G. acaidlis (fig. 169). Gentianella.— This is one of 
the most beautiful and at the same time one of the easiest- 
vs 
acaulis. (} nat. size.) 
grown species of the genus. It is a perennial, attaining a 
height of 2 to 4 inches, bearing solitary terminal intense blue 
flowers of large size. The throat of the corolla is naked, and 
the calyx-lobes closely applied to the corolla-tube. A native 
of the Alps, flowering in Spring or Summer. G. ewcisa, in- 
cluding G. alpina, is very closely allied to the foregoing, but 
differs in its spreading calyx-lobes. 
2. G. vérna.—A dwarf tufted species resembling the last in 
