Part 5

It is often quite a difficult matter to distinguish between the Stemless Gentian, here illustrated, and the Carved Gentian (_Gentiana excisa_), not only because the two plants are so much alike but also because intermediate forms exist; indeed, it is open to question whether the two plants are really to be regarded as distinct species. In the Carved Gentian the calyx lobes become contracted just above their bases, to widen out again above, and the recesses between the lobes are more rounded and less pointed. The leaves also are broader, less leathery, and not nearly so sharp pointed as those of the so-called stemless variety. The flowers of the Marsh Gentian (_Gentiana Pneumonanthe_) are also not unlike those of the plant here photographed, but it should be readily distinguished because its leaves are much narrower and several flowers are borne by a single plant.

The Short-Leaved Gentian

(_GENTIANA BRACHYPHYLLA_)

A particularly fine group of this beautiful little Gentian is here photographed. It is typical of the high Alps or snow region, and is rarely found below 6000 feet, and while scarce above 9000 is to be gathered even at 12,000 feet on the Matterhorn. But a single flower is borne by each little plant at the top of a short stem, which also bears the small, thick, closely packed leaves. The plant is found growing in the turf of mountain pastures and rocky places in the central parts of the whole Alpine chain. It is moderately common particularly on primary rock, and is also met with in Dauphiny and the Pyrenees.

Of the twenty or more species of Gentian that occur in Switzerland, some are tall, stately plants, bearing numerous blue, yellow, or purple flowers. Others are much smaller and bear relatively few flowers, or even one only in small feeble plants. A few never have more than a single blossom to each little plant. Among these last are the Stemless Gentian with its bell-shaped flower, figured on the previous plate, and the Short-leaved Gentian with its star-like flower, which we here illustrate. As a matter of fact, there are really three single-flowered Star-Gentians and to distinguish between them is not easy. Of these the Bavarian Gentian (_Gentiana bavarica_) is recognised from our plant by its longer stem, perhaps 2 to 3 inches long, on which only two or three pairs of opposite leaves are borne, and by the fact that the lower leaves are smaller than the upper. The Spring Gentian (_Gentiana verna_) has a very short stem, covered by closely packed leaves like the short-leaved variety, and like it, too, the lower leaves are the larger, but its leaves are harder, narrower, and more pointed, and short wing-like projections are found on its calyx.

The Alpine Toad-Flax

(_LINARIA ALPINA_)

This beautiful little plant is abundant in all parts of the Alps. It is one of the first to take possession of fresh soil, but disappears rapidly under the stress of competition with other plants. Its numerous winged seeds are carried far and wide by the wind, and take root and grow rapidly on any open space. Hence it is found among the general rocky débris of the mountain-side, on the moraines of glaciers, and on the fresh soil brought down by avalanches, and is most abundant in limestone districts. Its true home is the high Alps and the snow region, and it flourishes best between 5000 and 9000 feet; but it is often carried down to a much lower level by the rivers, and is even found locally in the plains of Southern Germany. The Alpine Toad-flax is an inhabitant of most of the mountain ranges of Central and Southern Europe, and is thought to have taken origin in the South. It flowers from June till September, and seems to have derived its name from its flax-like foliage.

From the root stock arise one or more prostrate branches which creep over the rocks and soil, and turn upward at their extremities to terminate in a bunch of the brightly-coloured flowers. The grey-green leaves are narrow and succulent, and are arranged in whorls of four on the stem. The flowers are furnished with a long spur which contains the honey, and are only visited by bees and humble-bees. The common humble-bee has a long enough tongue to reach to the tip of the spur and is the chief agent in the fertilisation of the plant. The orange-yellow spot at the only opening to the flower is equivalent to a notice “this way to the honey.” Should no insect visit a flower self-fertilisation will nevertheless occur and seeds will be produced all the same. A variety of this plant, with flowers of a uniform red-violet colour and without any orange-yellow spot, grows on primary granitic rock. A second and much rarer type has pure yellow blossoms.

The plant is sure to be easily recognised. The prostrate stem, narrow leaves, and entirely closed up flowers that grow together in bunches are some of the more characteristic features.

The Alpine Balsam

(_ERINUS ALPINUS_)

The Alpine Balsam is a characteristic rock plant of the limestone Alps. Taking root in the clefts of the rocks, it sends out radiating branches in all directions, which adhere closely to the surface. It may also be sought in dry mountain meadows and among the grass of dry stony slopes, and is fairly common between 4000 and 7000 feet. Sometimes it is met with at a lower altitude in rocky places. The leaves, which are broader at their free extremities and covered by short hairs, are crowded together at the base of the stem. They have deeply serrated edges. The violet-purple or occasionally white flowers, which are formed of five petals united at their bases, are borne at the extremities of the branches. The Alpine Balsam is found not only in the Swiss Alps but also in the Tyrol, the Jura, the Vosges and Pyrenees. It flowers from early June till August.

The flowers of the Bird’s-eye or Mealy Primrose (_Primula farinosa_) are not unlike those of the Alpine Balsam, at any rate at first sight. But each Mealy Primrose plant bears but a single leafless flower-stem which terminates in a cluster of flowers. Moreover, the Mealy Primrose is found in moist meadows and boggy places, and rarely among rocks, and its leaves have a grey, powdery bloom on their lower surfaces.

The Leafy Lousewort

(_PEDICULARIS FOLIOSA_)

The Louseworts as a whole have been exceedingly successful in the Alps. No less than fourteen different species are to be found, and some of them are exceedingly common. In spite of their unpleasant name they are for the most part really beautiful plants, and as a group they are interesting in several ways. In the first place, they are all in some degree parasites on other plants. Branches arise from the roots which attach themselves to the roots of neighbouring plants and absorb from them water or salts or even organic nourishment. The Leafy Lousewort is not a great offender in this respect, but other species are capable of completely destroying many of the surrounding plants. The method of pollination of the Lousewort flowers is also somewhat remarkable. The flowers are only visited by humble bees, for no other insect appears to be strong enough to force an entrance into the flower. As may be made out from the photograph, the flower consists of two lips. In the upper is a vertical slit through which the stigma alone projects, but immediately behind the slit are the four stamens. The lower lip forms practically a landing stage for insect visitors. When the humble-bee alights on the flower his head is sure to come in contact with the projecting stigma and some of the pollen which he unconsciously carries with him will be removed. As he bends forward and thrusts his head into the flower to suck the honey the vertical slit in the upper lip will be widened out and the stamens will protrude and strike the insect’s head. When the humble-bee at last leaves the flower to continue his journey its various parts will resume their former relative positions. Should no insects visit the flower self-pollination will occur. This appears to be the usual course of events in the North where humble-bees are scarce. In Spitzbergen, where there are no humble-bees, a nearly-related species, _Pedicularis lanata_, is said to be regularly self-fertilised without apparently suffering in any possible way.

The Leafy Lousewort here illustrated is the commonest variety in most districts. It is a tall, stately plant, often some two feet high, which is found on grassy slopes and in rocky places between 3500 and 7000 feet, and grows best on a limestone soil. The large fine-divided leaves are even found among the pale yellow flowers on the flower-stem. The plant flowers in June and July, and is found in the Alps, Pyrenees, Vosges, and Jura. It will be readily recognised by its alternate leaves, and pale yellow hairy flowers, without any beak-like projection at their summits. _Pedicularis Oederi_, which is a little like it, has no foliage leaves between the flowers, which are devoid of hairs, and have a blackish red spot on either side of the upper lip.

The Yellow Auricula

(_PRIMULA AURICULA_)

Directly the snow melts up come the Auriculas, but only on limestone soil. The Auricula is really a spring plant, and usually flowers in May, but where protected by slowly melting masses of snow it may not bloom till much later; the accompanying photograph was taken in July. The thick, dense rootstock penetrates deep into the clefts of the rock. The leaves are smooth, rather fleshy, and of a bluish-green colour. The upper surface of the leaves, the flower-stalk and the calyx are covered with a white mealy substance. The leaves appear to serve the plant as a means of absorbing or storing water. Although the thick, dense cuticle usually present on leaves which have this function is here absent, they are found to dry up very slowly. It is probable that the thick cellulose walls between the individual cells replace the cuticle in the leaves of this plant. The flowers give forth a pleasant odour, something like that of the cowslip, but rather sweeter. Like the flowers of the primrose, they are of two kinds. The one has a long stigma which projects as far as the opening of the flower, and short stamens, and the converse is the case in the other. The object of this arrangement is to facilitate the pollination of the flowers by the agency of insect visitors as they pass from the one type to the other. Darwin found that very few seeds were formed when the flowers were self-fertilised.

The Auricula grows in rocky places between 3000 and 7000 feet. It is only found in limestone districts, and is rather local. It is also to be met with in the Jura, Dauphiny, the Pyrenees, the Carpathians, and in one or two places in the Black Forest.

The Auricula will be readily recognised. From the Oxlip (_Primula elatior_) and Cowslip (_Primula officinalis_ or _veris_), it is distinguished by its smooth, not wrinkled, leaves and mealy stem. It is probable that most of the brilliantly coloured garden Auriculas were originally derived from this species.

The Marsh Orchis

(_ORCHIS LATIFOLIA_)

A large number of Orchids are to be found in the Alps. They form a well-defined group of plants which are particularly interesting in view of complicated devices which they have adopted to ensure the fertilisation of their seeds by the agency of insect visitors. Nearly all the English species are found in Switzerland, and most of them are met with in much greater abundance there. The beautiful pink Helleborine, the sweet-scented Butterfly Orchis, may be found in profusion on the lower mountain slopes, and the dark red Nigritella, with its odour of vanilla, and the ghost-like Coral-root, in the higher regions.

Of the genus Orchis alone there are no less than seventeen Swiss species. Many of these are much alike, and by no means easy to distinguish from one another. One of the most abundant is the Marsh Orchis, which is also met with in England, but is not nearly so common there. The plant grows in damp meadows and boggy places, where an average sized plant may be 18 inches or two feet high. Its large purple spotted flowers appear in June and may last until July.

The methods adopted by the plant to ensure the fertilisation of its flowers by means of insect visitors are most elaborate and exact, but without the aid of diagrams they are a little difficult to explain. It is curious that no honey is contained in the spur. It is probably the cell sap in it that is attractive to insects.

The Marsh Orchis will be recognised by its spreading spotted leaves, hollow stem, the palm-shaped tubers of its root, and the thick spur to the flower.

The Lady’s Slipper

(_CYPRIPEDIUM CALCEOLUS_)

This is one of the most striking plants of the Swiss flora, and while nowhere common is pretty widely distributed in the limestone districts of the Alps. It is a plant of some size, perhaps 12 to 24 inches in height, and grows in stony woods from the lower mountain region up to 6500 feet. One to three large yellow flowers are borne by each plant. Their method of fertilisation is of exceptional interest. Close to the attachment of the yellow slipper-shaped petal to the rest of the flower is a projection bearing on each side a stigmatic surface below and a mass of pollen above. The large yellow petal is smooth inside and has overhanging edges, rather like those of the familiar beetle-trap that is used for catching cockroaches, and as we shall see in a moment it acts in a similar manner. There is no honey in the flower, and it is not quite clear what the small bees that have been seen visiting it go there for. But at any rate when they once get in they have the greatest possible difficulty in getting out again, and only succeed in doing so by climbing up the attached side of the flower where the edges are not overhanging, that is on either side of the central projection. In doing this they are sure to brush first against the stigmatic surface, leaving behind some of the pollen they may chance to have sticking to them, and then against the viscid mass of pollen, some of which is sure to become attached to them. This process has been actually observed by Dr Herman Müller in the Alps.

The Lady’s Slipper Orchid is found also in the Jura, Tyrol, Dauphiny, Pyrenees, in certain parts of Central and Southern Germany, and even in the North of England. It is everywhere rather rare, but specially so in this country. It flowers in May and June, and is sure to be easily recognised, for there is no other plant in the least like it.

No doubt such names as the Lady’s Slipper, Lady’s Mantle, and Lady’s-Tresses refer to the dedication of the plant to the Virgin in mediæval times. The French name, “Sabot de Vénus,” refers to a very different personage. A comparison between the English, French, German, and the scientific names, for the last of which Linneus is responsible, is a good example of the way in which the goddess Venus and the Virgin Mary were often confounded with one another in the early days.

The White Veratrum

(_VERATRUM ALBUM_)

The White Veratrum is a tall weed with large green leaves, very abundant in moist meadows and pastures in all parts of the Alps between 2000 and 6000 feet. Before the flowers appear it strongly suggests one of the larger Gentians, but the flowers, which come out in July and August, are quite different. It is a widely distributed plant, being found in Russia, Siberia, Lapland, as well as in most of the mountain ranges of Central and Southern Europe. It appears to have been left as a relic of the glacial period in the higher parts of Silesia and the Black Forest. The large green leaves are downy beneath, and the flowers, which are always green externally, may be pure white (var. _typicum_), or more commonly yellowish-green (var. _Lobelianum_), internally. Some would regard these two varieties as distinct species. The whole plant is extremely poisonous. Sometimes it is eaten by the sheep and goats with disastrous results to the herdsmen, but the cattle are wiser and rarely make this mistake. The poison is an alkaloid Veratrin, which is contained in largest quantities in the root from which it is extracted for medical purposes. If the root be tasted it will at first appear sweet, but its acrid, bitter flavour soon overpowers this first impression. The Swiss herdsmen look upon the White Veratrum as a noxious weed, not only because of its poisonous properties but also because it grows in the richest soil and robs the true fodder plants of nourishment. In the Jura, on the other hand, the farmers rather welcome it. They say that the shade of its large leaves preserves the grass for the cattle and prevents it becoming dried up by the scorching sun.

The White Veratrum will be easily recognised. Its nearest relative, the Black Veratrum (_Veratrum nigrum_), is a much rarer plant that grows in woods. It has reddish-black or chocolate flowers, which grow in large spikes like those of the plant here illustrated, but each individual flower has a relatively longer flower-stalk.

Index

A

_Abies pectinata_, xi

Aconites, 6

_Aconitum Anthora_, 8 _Lycoctonum_, 8 _Napellus_, 6 _paniculatum_, 7

Alpenrose, the Hairy-leaved, 58 the Rusty-leaved, 58

Alpine anemone, 2 Aster, 44 Balsam, 68 Carline Thistle, 50 Clover, 22 Fleabane, 44 Honeysuckle, x Region, xii Rose, 32 Sainfoin, 28 Starwort, 44 Toad-flax, 66

_Alps_, xii

Altitude, x

_Anemone alpina_, 2 _Narcissiflora_, 2 _nemorosa_, 2 _Pulsatilla_, 2

_Antennaria carpathica_, 47 _dioica_, 46

_Arnica montana_, 48

Arnica, 48

Arolla, xii

Aronics, 49

_Aster alpinus_, 44 _Amellus_, 45

Aster, the Alpine, 44

_Astrantia major_, 42

_Astrantia minor_, 43

Astrantia, the Large, 42 the Small, 43

Auricula, the Yellow, 72

Auriculas, garden, 73

B

Ball, John, xxii

Balsam, the Alpine, 68

Bavarian Gentian, 64

Bearded Bell-flower, 54

Bell-flower, the Bearded, 54 the Dwarf, 56

Bird’s-eye, 68

Biting Stonecrop, 41

Black Veratrum, 79

Blood Geranium, 20

Bonnier, Professor, xv

Box-leaved Milkwort, 14

Brook Crane’s-bill, 20

Brown Clover, 24

_Bupleurum ranunculoides_, 43

C

_Campanula barbata_, 54 _excisa_, 56 _pusilla_, 56 _rotundifolia_, 57 _Scheuchzeri_, 57 _Zoysii_, 55

Campanula, the Bearded, 54

Campion, the Moss, 18

_Carlina acaulis_, 50

Carline Thistle, the Alpine, 50

Carpathians Cudweed, 47

Carved Gentian, 62

Cat’s-foot, 46

“Chamois’ beards,” 2

Chickweed, 16

Christmas tree, xi

_Circium oloraceum_, 51 _spinosissimum_, 50

Climate of Alps, xi

Clover, the Alpine, 22 Brown, 24 Dull-flowered Sweet, 28

Cobweb House-leek, 37

Cold Milk-Vetch, 26 Mountain-lentil, 26

Colours of Alpine flowers, xix

Common Fuller’s Thistle, 51 Milk wort, 14 Monk’s-Hood, 6

Cowslip, 73

Crane’s-bill, Brook, 20 Meadow, 20

Creeping Gypsophila, 16

Crocuses, xv

Cudweed, Carpathian, 47 Mountain, 46

Cultivation of Alpine plants, xxiv

Cushion Pink, 18

“Cushion plant,” 18

_Cypripedium calceolus_, 76

D

Destruction of Alpine plants, xxiii

Dog-Rose, 32

Doronicum, 49

_Dryas octopetala_, 30

Dryas, the White, 30

Dull-flowered Sweet Clover, 26

Dwarf Bell-flower, 56 Hair-Bell, 56

E

Edelweiss, xv, xviii, 46

_Epilobium angustifolium_, 34 _Fleischeri_, 34 _rosmarinifolium_, 35

_Erigeron alpina_, 44

_Erinus alpinus_, 68

_Eritrichium nanum_, xiii

Evergreen Saxifrage, 40

Everlasting, the Mountain, 46

Eyebright, xix

F

Fleabane, the Alpine, 44

Fleischer’s Willow-herb, 34

Flowers of Alpine plants, xix

Forget-me-not, xix

Fuller’s Thistle, the Common, 51 the Spiny, 50

G

Gentian, the Bavarian, 64 the Carved, 63 the Marsh, 36 the Short-leaved, 64 the Spring, 65 the Stemless, 62

_Gentiana acaulis_, 62 _bavarica_, 64 _brachyphylla_, 64

_Gentiana excisa_, 63 _Pneumonanthe_, 63 _verna_, 65

Geranium, the Blood, 20 the Wood, 20

_Geranium pratense_, 20 _rivulare_, 20 _sanguinum_, 20 _sylvaticum_, 20

Glacial period, xxii

Glacier Crowfoot, xiii

_Glaucium luteum_, xiii

Globe Flower, 4

Gypsophila, the Creeping, 16

_Gypsophila repens_, 16

H

Hair-bell, the Common, 57 the Dwarf, 56

Hairy-leaved Alpenrose, 58

Hare’s-ear, 43

_Hedysarum obscurum_, 28

Horned Sea-poppy, xiii

House-leek, the Cobweb, 37 the Common, 38 the Mountain, 36

I

Insects in the Alps, xx

L

Lady’s Mantle, 77 Slipper, 76 Tresses, 77

Larch, xi

Large Astrantia, 42

_Larix Europæa_, x

Leafy Lousewort, 70

Lesser Winter-Green, 60

_Linaria alpina_, 66

Long-Spurred Pansy, 12

_Lonicera alpigena_, x

Lousewort, the Leafy, 70

Low stature of Alpine plants, xvii

M

_Maianthemum bifolium_, x

Marsh Gentian, 63 Orchis, 74

May-Lily, x

Meadow Crane’s-bill, 20

Mealy Primrose, 68

Milk-Vetch, the Cold, 26

Milkwort, the Box-leaved, 14 the Common, 14

Monk’s-Hood, the Common, 6

Moss Campion, 18

Moss-like Saxifrage, 41

Mountain Cudweed, 46 Everlasting, 46 House-leek, 36 -lentil, the Cold, 26

Müller, H., xx, xxi, 13

N

Narcissus-flowered Anemone, 2

O

_Orchis latifolia_, 74

Orchis, the Marsh, 74

Origin of Alpine flora, xxi

Oxlip, 73

P

Panicled Monk’s-hood, 7

Pansy, the Long-Spurred, 12

Pasque Flower, 2

_Pedicularis foliosa_, 70 _lanata_, 71 _Oederi_, 71

Perennials in the Alps, xvi

_Phaca alpina_, 26 _frigida_, 26

Photography of Alpine plants, xxv

_Phyteuma orbicular_, 52 _Scheuchzeri_, 53 _spicatum_, x

_Picea excelsa_, xi

_Pinus Cembra_, xii _sylvestris_, xii

_Poa annua_, xvi

_Polygala calcarea_, 15 _chamæbuxus_, 14 _vulgaris_, 14

Preserving Alpine plants, xxiii

Pressing Alpine plants, xxiii

Primrose, the Mealy, 68

_Primula auricula_, 72 _elatior_, 73 _farinosa_, 68 _officinalis_, 73 _veris_, 73

_Pyrola minor_, 60 _rotundifolia_, 60 _secunda_, 60

R

Rampion, the Round-headed, 52 the White-flowered, x

_Ranunculaceæ_, 4

_Ranunculus acris_, 5 _glacialis_, xiii _montanus_, 4

Red-berried Elder, x

Region of forest trees, xi

_Rhododendron ferrugineum_, 58 _hirsutum_, 58

Rock gardens, xxiv

_Rosa alpina_, 32

Rose-bay, 34

Rose, the Alpine, 32

Rosemary-leaved Willow-herb, 3

Rough Saxifrage, 41

Round-headed Rampion, 52

Rusty-leaved Alpenrose, 58

S

“Sabot de Vénus,” 77

Sainfoin, the Alpine, 28

_Sambucus racemosa_, x

Sandwort, 16

_Saxifraga Aizoides_, 40 _aspera_, 41 _bryoides_, 41 _Hirculus_, 41 _Sequieri_, 41

Saxifrage, the Evergreen, 40 the Moss-like, 41 the Rough, 41

Scotch Fir, xii

_Sedum acre_, 41

_Sempervivum arachnoideum_, 37 _Funckii_, 38 _montanum_, 36 _tectorum_, 38 _Wulfeni_, 38

Short-leaved Gentian, 64

_Silene acaulis_, 18 _exscapa_, 19

Silver Fir, xi