Jasione
(derived from a name applied by Theo-phrastus to the Convolvulus). Sheep's Scabious. ORD. Campanulaceae. A genus (about twelve species have been described) of hardy herbaceous plants, from temperate Europe and the Mediterranean regions. Flowers collected into terminal bracteated heads; corolla blue, rarely white, deeply five-parted; anthers combined into a tube at the base. Leaves alternate, narrow. The species from very pretty little subjects for the rock garden. They thrive best in a somewhat sandy soil. The perennials are propagated by sowing seed during the autumn, and by divisions; the annuals by seeds, which require to be sown in March. J. Montana (mountain). fl. pale blue, sometimes white, disposed in globose heads; peduncles naked. Summer. l. lanceolate, undulated, hairy. Stem erect, simple. h. 6in. to 12in. Europe (Britain). Annual. (Sy. En. B. 683.) The sea-side form of this species (littoralis) is generally biennial. J. perennis (perennial). fl. blue, pedicellate, disposed in large sub-globose heads; peduncles naked. Summer. l. rather hairy; radical ones obovate; cauline ones oblong-linear, flat. Stems erect, simple. h. 1ft. Western Europe, 1787. An elegant perennial. (B. M. 2198; B. R. 505.)