GENTIANA ASCLEPIADEA. 
SWALLOW-WORT-LEAFED GENTIAN. 
Class. Order. 
PENTANDRIA. D1GYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
GENTIANEjE. 
Native of 
Height 
Flowers in 
Duration 
Cultivated 
Austria. 
1 foot. 
July, Aug. 
Perennial. 
in 1629. 
No. 288. 
Gentius, King of Illyria, is supposed to have dis- 
covered virtues in one of the plants of this genus, 
on which account his name became the origin of the 
word Gentiana. The term Asclepiadea, appears 
to have been adopted in allusion to a similarity of its 
foliage to that of asclepias, or swallow-wort. 
The beautiful and brilliant blue-coloured flowers, 
and the neatness of foliage, which distinguish the 
greater part of the plants of this genus, constitute an 
efficient passport for them into every garden. It is 
true that several species are somewhat fastidious as 
regards their situation and treatment. Some are 
natives of alpine countries, and demand purity of 
air. Others inhabit peaty plains, and these are 
equally impatient of dry tenacious soils. Well-in- 
tentioned efforts, if ill directed, in floriculture, must 
oftentimes fail ; which renders it of primary impor- 
tance that the natural habit of plants be considered 
by every cultivator, in all his operations. 
The Gentiana asclepiadea is particularly desirable, 
and requires less care than any species in common 
cultivation. In a cool and rather moist part of the 
garden, not wholly deprived of sun, it is sure to thrive. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 2, 110. 
