Abstract
Gentiana antarctica of Campbell Island, a monocarpic species, flowers from late December to April and possibly earlier. White-petalled plants ranged from 19.04 to 78.74% in samples from six populations. Other petal colours range from a tinge of pink at the tips to fully rosecoloured. Frequencies are given. The red pigment in leaves and ovaries tends to increase with increasing petal colour. G. antipoda of Antipodes Island, also monocarpic, flowers from early December to April. White-petalled plants ranged from 33.33 to 46.38% in samples from three populations. The range of other petal colours was similar to that in G. antarctica. Mature leaves are always yellow-green and stem pigmentation is not very closely related to petal pigmentation. Inflorescences and flowers of both species are described. Modes of ovule numbers are 12-19 in G. antarctica (samples from five populations) and 4 in G. antipoda (samples from three populations). Flowers are protandrous in both species with no insect visitors known. The occurrence of brighter flower colours than on the mainland is discussed in relation to lack of pollinators, or pleiotropic genes, and this is extended to other relevant island species.