SW E R T IA perennis.
Marsh Swertia.
PENTANDRIA Digynia.
G en. Char. Cor. wheel-shaped, with a pair of honey,
bearing pores at the base of each segment. Caps,
superior, of 1 cell, with 2 valves.
Spec. C har. Corolla in five segments. Radical leaves
ovate.
Syn. Swertia perennis. Linn. Sp. PL S28. Sm. Fl,
Brit. 284. Huds. 102. With. 280. Hull. 55,
Jacq. Fl. Austr. t. 243.
A s a native of Britain this fine plant rests on the word of
Hudson only, who asserts that Richardson found it in Wales,
but does not mention his authority, nor has any other person
confirmed the report. It is very rare even on the Alps, growing
in watery meadows, and flowering in August. Having
gathered it wild, and finding it very little altered in colour by
drying, we have, after consulting Jacquin’s figure, which is
too pale, caused a very faithful representation to be made,
which we trust will be the more acceptable as the plant can
scarcely be cultivated in a garden. To be kept alive it must
be planted in black bog earth, and constantly inundated to the
height of 5 or 6 inches, so that it is hardly possible to transport
the roots, though perennial, from their native mountains,
The long fibres of the root are intensely bitter. The herb
is quite smooth. Stem a foot high, square. Leaves chiefly
radical, on stalks, ovate, entire. Panicle of many greyish-blue
flowers on purplish stalks. Corolla with many fine ribs, the
nectaries fringed and greenish. Germen often abortive. The
genus is next akin to Gentiana, and agrees with it in qualities.