Gentianella Moench

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1972, Flora Europaea. Volume 3. Diapensiacea to Myoporaceae, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 63

6. Gentianella Moench 1

Biennials or annuals. Stems usually more or less branched from above the basal rosette. Calyx divided to at least |-w ay; lobes

4-5, not joined by an inner membrane. Corolla cylindrical or obconical; lobes 4-5, more or less patent, without a small lobe in the sinus; corolla usually fimbriate in the throat. Anthers 4-5, versatile. Ovary gradually tapered to style, or style absent. Stigmas 2, persistent on the capsule. Nectaries at the base of the corolla.

Some species of Sect. Gentianella show variation which is to some extent correlated with time of germination and flowering and sometimes also with altitude. The non-commital term ‘ecotypic variant’ is used for these; they are listed under the appropriate species by names commonly found in Floras, where such are available, at whatever rank this may happen to be. Such citation does not imply approval of the appropriateness of the rank in question.

Literature: R. von Wettstein, Denkschr. Akad. Wiss. Math.- Nat. Kl. (Wien) 64: 309-382 (1896).

1 Corolla not fimbriate at base of lobes

2 Corolla less than 12 mm, not fimbriate at throat or margin; flowers numerous, closely subtended by uppermost leaves

22. aurea 2 Corolla more than 25 mm, fimbriate or ciliate at margin; flowers solitary, not closely subtended by uppermost leaves

3 Calyx-lobes equal; corolla with cilia about as long as width of lobes 3. ciliata 3 Two calyx-lobes longer and narrower than the others; corolla

. with cilia much shorter than width of lobes, occasionally absent

4 Basal rosette withered at anthesis; stems simple or branched only in upper part 5. barbata 4 Basal rosette persistent at fruiting; stems branched from the base 4. detonsa 1 Corolla fimbriate at base of lobes

5 Calyx-lobes with strongly crispate, blackish margin 6. crispata

5 Calyx-lobes with flat or recurved, but not crispate, green margin

6 Flowers 4-merous; calyx-lobes very unequal, the 2 larger enclosing the 2 smaller (8-9). campestris group 6 Flowers 4- or 5-merous; calyx-lobes equal or somewhat unequal, but the larger not enclosing the smaller

7 Calyx divided almost to base, the lobes not appressed to the corolla-tube

8 Flowers usually 4-merous; pedicels several times as long as flowers; corolla-lobes patent 1. tenella 8 Flowers usually 5-merous; pedicels not more than twice as long as flowers; corolla-lobes ± erect 2. nana 7 Calyx divided to | or less, the lobes usually appressed to the corolla-tube

9 Corolla more than 25 mm (13-21). germanica group 9 Corolla less than 25 mm

10 Corolla more than twice as long as calyx, obconical;

plant with long branches from base

(13-21). germanica group 10 Corolla less than twice as long as calyx, cylindrical;

plant usually without long branches from base

11 Uppermost internode and terminal pedicel together forming at least | height of plant; internodes usually

3 or fewer (10-12). amarella group 11 Uppermost internode and terminal pedicel together forming at most | height of plant; internodes usually more than 3, all ± equal or the terminal one short

12 Lowland or subalpine plants up to 60 cm, with short branches from base or middle upwards

(10-12). amarella group 12 Alpine plants not more than 15 cm, with spreading,

leafy flowering branches from base

13 Flowers usually 5-merous; corolla white or yellow;

calyx-sinus rounded (13-21). germanica group 13 Flowers usually 4-merous; corolla blue; calyx-sinus acute 7. columnae