Descriptive Flora 



161 



April to July. This is the more common of the two species given. 

 Rarely a white-flowered form is found. 



Erytkraea beyrickii Torr. & Gray. Mountain Pink. Centaury. 



Similar to Erytkraea calyoosa but more intricately forked 

 and bushy, flowers more numerous, always blossoming at the tips 

 of the many forked branches. Corolla lobes acute (not blunt). 

 Blossoms later (July and August). Foliage usually a paler 

 green. Rare here, found only in that portion of the country 

 which is made up of the Edwards Plateau. This is one of the 

 prettiest and showiest flowers of the bare limestone hills, forming 

 patches of color seen at a fairly long distance. Especially de- 

 sirable for bouquets because of their lasting qualities. 



Sabbatia campestris Nutt. Texas Star. Meadow Pinks. 



Similar to Erytkraea calyoosa but plants are more widely 

 branched, leaves broader at base and larger, calyx lobes narrow 

 and longer than the corolla lobes. Flowers larger (over 1 inch 

 across), with conspicuous yellow centers and coiled anthers 

 (never twisted). Fruits rounded, set in a cup crowned with the 

 5 pointed spreading calyx lobes and a second ring of the 5 dried 

 corolla lobes. In moist meadows and roadsides. March to June. 

 Not common. 



Eustoma russellianum (Hook.) Griseb. Bluebells. 



Blue Gentian. Eustoma. 



These plants are always covered with a bloom and have the 

 largest blue flowers in this county. Stems erect, 1 to 2 feet tall, 

 smooth, simple or sparingly branched at the root. Leaves simple, 

 entire, ovate to oblong or lanceolate, partly clasping, and 

 arranged in alternating opposite pairs at intervals along the 

 stem. Flowers large, blue or violet, iy 2 to 2 inches long, open 

 bell-shaped, blossoming a few at a time at the top of the plant. 

 Stamens 5. Stigma 2-lobed. These do well for "cut" flowers as 

 they will last from one to two weeks. June and July. In low 

 wet ground in meadows or close to swampy places. 



