558 



THE GENTIAN FAMILY. 



Its geographical range is more ex- 

 tended than that of the greater P., being 

 undoubtedly wild much further north- 

 wards, and more abundant in England, 

 but yet, like that species, it is probably 

 with us an introduced, not a truly in- 

 digenous plant. Fl. spring and sum- 

 mer. 



Fig. 666. 



XLVIII. GENTIAN FAMILY. GENTIANACE^. 



Herbs more or less bitter, usually glabrous, with the excep- 

 tion of a few exotic species ; the leaves opposite and entire, with- 

 out stipules; the flowers in terminal, dichotomous cymes or 

 panicles, with a single flower in each fork. Calyx of 4, 5, or 

 rarely 6 to 8 divisions. Corolla regular, with a straight or open 

 tube, sometimes very short, and a spreading limb of as many di- 

 visions as the calyx, usually twisted in the bud. Stamens as many 

 as the divisions of the corolla, and alternating with them. Ovary 

 of a single cell, or partially divided into 2. Capsule opening in 2 

 valves, with many seeds. 



A rather large and very natural Order, extending nearly all over the 

 world, but chiefly in temperate or mountain regions, some species as- 

 cending to the utmost limits of vegetation. 



Leaves opposite. Terrestrial plants. 

 Stamens and divisions of the corolla 4. 



Flowers very small, yellow . . 1. Cicendia. 



Flowers rather large, blue Meld Gentian. 



Stamens and divisions of the corolla 5 (sometimes with 5 

 additional smaller lobes). 

 Flowers pink or red. Calyx divided to the base. Style 



deciduous . , 2. Erythema. 



Flowers blue. Calyx not divided below the middle. Style 



remaining long after the flowering is over 3. Gentian. 



