266 THE LADIES' FLOWER-GARDEN 
Gentians, as to have been made into a new genus by modem botanists, under the name of Asterias ; from Aster, a 
star, in allusion to the rotate shape of the flowers. The species is a native of the Alps of middle Europe, and it 
was introduced in 1596. 
3.— GENTIANA ASCLEPIADEA, Willd. THE ASCLEPIAS-LEAVED GENTIAN. 
Synonymes. — Coilantlia asclepiadea, Renal ; Dasystephana ascle- I Specific Charicteh. — Stem erect, simple, swollen at the joints 
piadoa, Borkh* Leaves stem-clasping, sessile, ovate-lanceolate. Corolla five-cleft, cam- 
Engiutings.— Bot. Mag. t. 1078. ( panulate. Flowers opposite, axillary, nearly sessile. 
Description, &c. — This very singular plant has been placed in a new genus by some botanists, on account 
of the shape of its flowers ; the name of the new genus, Coilantha, signifying a concave flower. This species is 
a native of Germany, Switzerland, and France, where it grows in moist shady valleys, and never in situations 
that are open and exposed. In a garden it should be grown under the shade of other plants, and in a moist loamy 
soil. It was introduced before 1629, and is propagated by dividing the roots. 
ones ovate-lanceolate; upper ones combined and sheathing at the base ; 
corolla five-six-cleft ; stamens five or six ; calyx membranous, 
spathe-like ; capsule fusiform. 
4.— GENTIANA PURPUREA, Lin. THE PURPLE GENTIAN. 
Synonymks. — G. punicea, Gesn. ; Pneumonanthe purpurea, 
Schmid. ; Coilantha purpurea, Borhh. 
Engravings.— Wood. Med. Bot. t. 262 ; and Bot. Rep. t. 117. 
Specific Character. — Radicle leaves ovate, five-nervcd ; stem 
Description, &c. — This is another species included in the genus Coilantha, the root of which is used in 
medicine. The flowers are of a leathery texture and purplish hue, dotted inside. The species is a native of 
the Alps of Europe, and it grows from one foot to two feet high. It was introduced in 1768. 
sile, ovate-acuminate, three-nerved ; flowers axillary, single ; peduncles 
as long as the calyx ; corolla salver-shaped, five-cleft, bearded at the 
throat. 
5.— GENTIANA CAUCASICA, Sims. THE CAUCASIAN GENTIAN. 
Synonymes. — G. amarella, Pal. ; G. collina, Adams ; Eurytha- 
lia caucasica, G. Don, 
Engraving. — Bot. Mag. t. 1038 ; and oar fig, 3, in Plate 70. 
Specific Character. — Stem quadrangular, ascending ; leaves ses- 
Description, &c. — A very pretty little biennial plant, a native of Mount Caucasus, which was introduced 
in 1804. It is easily known by the bearded throat of the corolla ; the beard being quite white, and contrasting 
strongly with the dark-blue of the limb. Tliis plant grows best in a calcareous soil, and is propagated by seeds. 
6.— GENTIANA ALPINA, Fill. THE ALPINE GENTIAN. 
Synonymes. — G. acaulis, var. Frcel. ; Eiicala alpina, Borkh. ; 
Hippion alpinum, Schmid. 
Engraving. — Lodd. Bot. Cab. t. 476. 
Specific Character. — Corolla campanulate, about equal in length 
to the stem ; leaves ovate, rather fleshy, obtuse, nerveless. (G. Don.) 
Description, &c. — This plant is very much like G. acaulis, and, like that species, has the flower much 
longer than the stem. The leaves of this plant are, however, nearly as broad as they are long ; and the corolla 
may be called ten- cleft, as it has a lesser division between each of the five principal ones. Both the corolla and 
the calyx are slightly dotted. This species has an underground stem, and consequently throws up young plants 
or suckers, frequently at a considerable distance from the parent. It is a native of the Alps of Switzerland, and 
of the Pyrenees, whence it was introduced in 1817- It is quite hardy, but it grows best in a light loam, and 
in an open situation. 
