MENYANTHES. 223 



Gentiana Andrewsii Grisebach. — Closed Gentian. 



Description. — Calyx 5-parted, the lobes ovate, recurved, shorter than 

 the tube. Corolla inflated club-shaped, closed at the mouth, the broad, 

 short, rounded lobes remaining in apposition and concealing the interme- 

 diate fringed appendages. Anthers connivent. Pod at* length projecting 

 from the persistent corolla. 



Stem erect, smooth, simple or sparingly branched, 1 to 2 feet high. 

 Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acute, narrowed at the base. Flowers in terminal 

 and axillary clusters ; corolla 1 to lr} inch long, pale blue, sometimes white. 



Habitat. — In rich moist situations ; the most common species north- 

 ward. 



Gentiana puberula Michaux (G. Gatesbcei Elliott). — Blue Gentian. 



Description. — Calyx 5-parted, the lobes lanceolate, about as long as the 

 tube. Corolla large, open, the lobes ovate, spreading, 2 to 4 times as long 

 as the cut-toothed appendages. Anthers connivent. 



Stem erect or ascending, 1 to 1|- foot high, rough or slightly pubes- 

 cent. Leaves lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, rough-margined. Flowers 

 in axillary and terminal clusters ; corolla bright blue, lined with yellow and 

 deeper blue. 



Habitat. — Dry prairies and barrens from Ohio to Wisconsin and south- 

 ward. 



Part Used. — The root — not official. That of the last described species 

 was formerly official, but was dropped from the Pharmacopoeia in 1880. 



Constituents. — Nothing of a positive nature is known of the chemical 

 constituents of these plants, though they are supposed to be identical with 

 those of the official species, G. lutea. 



Preparations. — Water extracts the bitter principle of these plants, hence 

 they may be employed in infusion or decoction. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — There is probably no other difference 

 than of degree between the therai^eutic effect of these and the official 

 species, and they may be employed for like purposes. 



MENYANTHES. 



Menyanthes trifoliata Linne. — Buckbean, Marsh Trefoil. 



Description. — Calyx 5-parted, the lobes obtuse. Corolla rotate or short 

 funnel-form, more than twice as long as the calyx, 5-parted, deciduous, 

 the upper surface white bearded, the lobes valvate in the bud with the 

 margins turned inward. Stamens 5, as long as the corolla. Style slender, 

 persistent ; stigma 2-lobed. Capsule 1-celled, many-seeded, bursting ir- 

 regular ry. 



An herbaceous perennial with a long, round, jointed, horizonital rhi- 

 zome, with numerous fibrous rootlets. Leaves trifoliate, upon long sheath- 

 ing petioles, which proceed from the end of the rhizome ; leaflets oval or 



