G E N T I A N A nivalis.
Small Alpine Gentian.
PENTANDRIA Digynia.
G en. C har. Cor. of i petal, tubular at thebafe, de-
ßitute of honey-bearing pores. Cap/ fuperior, one-
celled, two-valved, with 2 longitudinal receptacles.
Seeds many.
Spec. C har. Corolla five-cleft, funnel-fhaped. Angles
of the calyx even, acute. Stem many-flowered.
Sy n . Gentiana nivalis. Linn. Sp. PI. 322. Dickf. Tr.
o f Linn. Soc. v . 2. 290. Sm. FI. Brit. 286.
With. 280. Hull. 5 5 . FI. Ban. t. 1 7 .
A R U L Y does this hardy little plant deferve the name of
nivalis, for on the Alps it is only to be found about the limits
of perpetual froft, and in our own country it has been obferved
no where but on the fummits of one or two of the higheft
mountains of Scotland, which are feldom three months in the
year without fnow. It is annual, flowers in July or Auguft,
and quickly ripens its feed. W e are obliged to Mr. G. Don
for wild fpecimens.
The root is flender, tapering, and branching into a few
fibres. Stem 2 or 3 inches high, ereft, more or lefs branched,
fquare, leafy, bearing from 2 to 6 or 7 flowers ; our Britifh
fpecimens are generally lefs luxuriant than thofe of Switzerland.
Leaves elliptical, entire, the lower ones mod acute. Flowers
folitary at the end of each branch, ereft, flender; their tube
green, the limb of a beautiful ultramarine colour, in 5 larger
lobes with fmall cloven fegments between them. The calyx is
tubular, with 3 {harp, plain, (not waved,) equal angles, and as
many teeth. Stamina 5, enclofed within the tube of the
corolla. Styles united at their bafe.— The whole herb is
fmootb, as we believe is the cafe with every Gentian.