gentiaxack.f.. 285 



celled, many-seeded. — Alarge genus of herbaceous or shrubby 



plants, pervaded by a hot and pungent principle, with the leaves of* 

 ten in pairs, and axillary solitary peduncles. 



C annuum, L. Red Pepper. Cayenne Pepper. 



Stern herbaceous, angular, branching above ; leaves ovate, acuminate, entire, 

 petiolatc, smooth; peduncles axillary, smooth; calyx angular, with short, acute 



lobes; corolla-lobes spreading, longer than the stamens ; berry oblong or subglobes \ 

 Native of South America. Ann. Cultivated in gardens for its stimulating fruit, 

 which is well known. Stem 1 to 2.fijet hijh. Flowers solitary, on crowded pe- 

 duncles, or a gracnish-wuito color. 



10. PETUNIA, Juss. 



The Brazilian name i? pdun, Latinized, petunia. 



Calyx-tube short, the limb, 5-cleft, leaf}-. Corolla 

 funnel-form, with a cylindric tube \ limb in 5, unequal, 

 plaited lobes. Stamens 5, unequal, included, arising from 

 the middle of the corolla-tube. Capsule 2-valvcd, many- 

 seeded. — Herbs, with, simple leaves, and eix'dlary, solitary 

 showy flowers. 



1. P. nyctacinitlora. White Petunia. 



Diffuse; clothed with clammy hairs; lower leaves alternate, ovate, obtuse, hairy ; 

 fio7-al haves sessile, cordate-ovate, opposite ; corolla-tule cylindric. .?» or 4 times longer 

 than the spatulate sepals, limb flat, spreading. A handsome border flower, native 

 cf Brazil. Stem 1 to 3 feet long. Leaves, 2 to 3 inches long 



2. P. VIOLACEA, L. Purple Petunia. 



Stem weak, viscid-pilose, prostrate ; leaves ovate, ac ate. on ehor t' petioles ; c 

 ventricose, with ovate, acute segments. Native of Brazil. A handsome trailing c c 

 climbing plant, quite popular in cultivation. Whole plant clothed with clammy 

 hairs. Stems several from the same root, simple or somewhat branched, 2 t 

 feet long. Leaves 1 to 2 inches long, fleshy, nearly smooth beneath. Peduncles as 

 long as the loaves. GbroU& bright purple, 1 inch or more broad, upper segments 

 smallest; These two species -are found -to hybridize freely, and the union oi 

 two produces a great number of beautiful varieties, such as violet, white and pur- 

 ple, flesh color, &c, some of which are highly fragrant. 



Order 80. i3tE3ESTlJLWA.QESL^- Gentian Family. 



Smooth' herbs, with a colorless bitter juice^ mostly-opposite sessile entirel-eaves without 

 stipules, regular flowers with the stamens as many as the lobes of the corolla, mostly 

 twisted in activation, a 1-celled ovary with 2 parietal placenta:; the fruit a 2-valzed 



many-seeded capsule. — Caltx persistent. Couglla mostly withering-persistent; the 

 stamens inserted on its tube. 



1. S ABB ATI A, Adans. American Centaury. 



Dedicated to Sabbati, an early Italian b >tani3t. 



Calyx 5 to 12-parted ; the divisions slender. Corolla 



