Small Gentian of the Spring. _Park. Par. p. 352. t. 351. f. 3._

[Illustration: 52]

Plants growing in mountainous situations, where they are constantly
exposed to strong-blowing winds, are always dwarfish; in such
situations, the present plant has no stalk, whence its name _acaulis_,
but cultivated in gardens it acquires one.

Most of the plants of this family are beautiful, and, cultivated in
gardens, in brilliancy of colour none exceed the present species.

As most Alpine plants do, this loves a pure air, an elevated situation,
and a loamy soil, moderately moist; it is however somewhat capricious,
thriving without the least care in some gardens, and not succeeding in
others; at any rate it will not prosper very near London.

It flowers usually in May, and sometimes in the autumn.

Is propagated by parting its roots at the close of summer; but
MILLER says, the strongest and best plants are produced from
seed.




[53]

~Cineraria lanata. Woolly Cineraria.~