1 68 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part II. 



CENTAUREA UNIFLOEA. — One-flowered Knapweed. 



The flower-heads of this, previous to opening, look like withered 

 balls, in consequence of each of the scales being terminated by 

 a dark-brown feather-like point ; and as these become developed, 

 they lie down close upon the head, appearing to enclose it in a 

 net. The stems rise six to fifteen inches high, each bearing a 

 solitary flower two inches or more across, of a lilac rose. It is a 

 distinct, curious, and rather ornamental kind, grows freely in 

 well-drained and sandy soil, and merits a place on the rock- 

 work or borders. The undivided leaves are irregular in form, 

 sometimes lance-shaped in outline, and without a single tooth, 

 sometimes sparsely and unequally toothed, and sometimes with 

 one or two ears or short lobes at the base, and they have a 

 silvery look from being covered with a cobweb-like close-lying 

 down. I have met with the plant in a wild state amidst meadow 

 grass on high mountains in North Italy, and expect it will prove 

 more ornamental in cultivation. 



OEEASTITJM KiS9TSiVM..—Shaggy C. 



An interesting British plant, found on Scotch mountains, and 

 also more sparsely on those of England and Wales. Dwarf, 

 tyifted, and prostrate, spreading about rather freely, but seldom 

 rising more than a couple of inches high, with leaves broad 

 compared to those of any of the common weedy species, and 

 densely clothed with a dewy-looking silky down, which gives 

 the plant a singularly shaggy appearance. From these spring 

 rather large white flowers in early summer. It is at all times 

 a pretty and distinct-looking object on those parts of rock- 

 work that come near the eye, and, being British, will be all the 

 more interesting to the cultivator. It is not, hke the common 

 garden species, a plant fitted for forming edgings. Messrs. 

 Backhouse say that it flourishes best under ledges that prevent 

 the rain and snow falling on the foliage, but I have found it 

 stand all sorts of weather, and winters in the open border in 

 London. Readily increased by division, by cuttings, or seeds. 



OERASTIUM BIEBEESTEINII.— 5zVi5,frjte';2'j C. 



A VERY silvery species, closely aUied to the common C. tomento- 

 mm, from which, however, it is distinguished by its larger leaves, 



