Gentiana saponaria. 25
Root perennial, consisting of several large, fleshy portions. Stem
numerous from the same root, erect, simple, terete, very smooth and
shining, of an apple-green hue, drying nearly white. Leaves opposite,
decussating, sessile or rather amplexicaule, large, broad-lanceolate,
nearly acuminate, entire, smooth on both sides, very pale apple-green
underneath, crowded at the summit. Costa prominent, having one
or two nerves on either side near to the margins. Flowers axillary
and terminal, numerous, sessile, and occasionally pedunculate, in clusters
of two, three, or four. Corolla campanulate, ventricose, four-cleft
and very finely toothed, puckered or plaited at the mouth, when in
full bloom expanding sufficiently to show the internal whiteness of the
folds. Stamens and pistil concealed by the corolla, which is of a fine
Prussian-blue blended into whiteness at the base, near which are four
small, bracteiform, green, ovate, acute leaves. Each fascicle of flowers
whether axillary or terminal, is garnished by several lanceolate, acuminate
leaves resembling those of the stem except in size, being only
one inch and one and a half inch long. Grows in boggy ground and
damp rich meadows, from Canada to Louisiana, common. Flowering
in August and September.
The genus to which this elegant plant belongs is the . of the
Greeks, from Gentius, king of Illyria, who is said to have discovered
it, or first experienced its virtues as a cure for the plague which infected
his army. The North American species are eight or ten, the present
being one of the most elegant. It is well deserving more extensive