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Syngenesia Polygamia Superflua (Generic Character) (II)

Generic Character.

Recept. nudum. Pappus simplex. Cor. radii plures 10. Cal. imbricati squamae inferiores patulae.

Specific Character and Synonyms.

ASTER alpinus foliis subspathulatis hirtis integerrimis, caulibus simplicibus unifloris. Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 198.

ASTER alpinus foliis spatulatis hirtis: radicalibus obtusis, caule smplicissimo unifloro. Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 761. Jacq. Fl. Austr. V. 1. t. 88.

Clusius and Jacquin, by both of whom this species of Aster is figured and described, inform us, that it grows spontaneously on the Austrian Alps. Of the many hardy herbaceous species cultivated in our garden, this is by far the most humble in its growth; in its wild state acquiring the height of about four inches, and when cultivated, rarely exceeding eight or nine: its blossoms, for its size, are large and shewy, making their appearance much earlier than any of the others, viz. about the end of May and beginning of June, and continuing in blossom three weeks or a month. It is readily propagated by parting its roots in the autumn; may be kept in pots, or planted in the open border, prefers a moist stiffish soil; if carefully watered in dry weather, will grow among rock-work, for which, from its size, it is well adapted.