Part 10

The leaf is divided into 3 or 5 lance-shaped parts; the margin is toothed, and the texture is coarse; it is set on short, ribbed-stems, and springs from a noticeable joint, in pairs, at regular intervals along the stalk, and branches. It is dull green in color.

The flowers are very small, and ragged, of a dull tawny orange; they are crumpled tightly into a flat head, and sometimes partly surrounded by 1 to 3 inconspicuous, little, dull yellow, rays. The head is encircled by small, narrow, green, leaf-like parts of irregular lengths; it is set on a short green stem. Two or three heads are gathered in a terminal group.

The cup-like joint of the leaf-stems is worth careful consideration, it is so neatly finished. The seed is dark and shining, and oppressively civil in its attentions to heedless wayfarers.

[Illustration: RAYLESS MARIGOLD: B. frondosa.]

*Wild Sunflower.* _Helianthus tuberosus._ *Jerusalem Artichoke.*

Found through September and October, in cultivated fields, and along thicket borders.

The stalk branches for flowers near the top; it is leafy, large, from 3 to 7 or 8 feet, very stout, and rough with short hairs. Its color is light green.

The leaf is large, and oval, with a pointed tip and widest at the base, where it tapers into a short stem; the margin is somewhat obscurely notched, the texture is coarse, showing 3 strong ribs, and the surface is rough. The color is a full, strong green. In growth, the leaves are generally opposite, though the upper leaves are often alternate.

The disc flowers are small, tubular, and 5-pointed, of a dull yellow color; the stamens are protruding, spirally curled, and brownish; the rays, from 8 to 15 in number, are long, and broad, and colored a brilliant orange-yellow. The leafy cup, which encloses the head, is composed of several rows of green parts; the heads grow singly from the summit of the stalk, or by twos and threes, on stems, from the angles of the leaves. This is a towering plant, whose brilliant flowers and vigorous leafage render it an effective feature of the wild hedgerow. Its tuberous root is sometimes cooked as a vegetable, and in a raw state is eaten by men and boys.

[Illustration: WILD SUNFLOWER: Helianthus tuberosus.]

*Bushy Goldenrod.* _Solidago lanceolata._

Found during August, growing in open, dry fields, and waysides.

The stalk reaches about 3 feet in height; it is leafy, and branching widely, slender, and rough to the touch. Color, green.

The leaf is like a grass blade, very narrow and long, pointed at both ends, with an entire margin, and parallel veins; the texture is thin, the edge and midrib slightly rough. In color gray-green.

The disc flowers are few, the ray flowers very short, from 10 to 18 in number. The heads are arranged in small flat-topped clusters.

The branches are so nicely graduated in length that they form a large-topped flowery summit to the slender stalk, the buds opening in the center first. The green is tempered to a more perfect harmony with the yellow bloom than is usual among the Goldenrods, and the cup is of so yellow a hue it scarcely shows a trace of green.

[Illustration: BUSHY GOLDENROD: Solidago lanceolata.]

*White Goldenrod.* _Solidago bicolor._ *Silver-rod.*

Found in August and September growing in dry soil, often in light shade.

The stalk is noticeably erect, and usually single, of coarse fibre, and rough to the touch; 1 or 2 feet high. Green.

The leaf is narrow, and tapering to a point at both ends, with a sharp tip. The margin of the lower leaves is notched, the upper leaves are entire. They sit close upon the stalk in alternate arrangement. The color is a homely green.

The rays are from 4 to 12 in number; and cream colored, like the disc flowers. The small heads are gathered in crowded groups, set in the angles of the small, pale, upper leaves, forming a long club-shaped spike.

Sometimes the plant is slightly hairy, and occasionally the lower leaves are oval in shape, and furnished with stems. The bloom begins at the tip of the spike, whose gesture deserves the name of “rod” more nearly than its more graceful sisters. If not well-nourished the blossoms are apt to be ragged, and dingy in color.

[Illustration: WHITE GOLDENROD: S. bicolor.]

*Plume Goldenrod.* _Solidago juncea._

Found in August and September, in grassy fields, growing to the height of 2 or 3 feet.

The graceful and elegant stalk is smooth, round, and shining. Color, light yellow-green.

The upper leaves are lance-shaped, long-pointed at either end, with entire margins; they spring from the stalk with a noticeable arch. The lower leaves are larger, more nearly oval, lengthening to a margined base or stem; they are sometimes sparingly notched. In arrangement alternate, with small leaves putting forth from the angles. Color, a yellowish-green.

The ray flowers are from 8 to 12 in number. The heads are arranged, in little spires, along the upper sides of slender stems, which form a long, spreading, curving plume.

This is perhaps the handsomest of the clan in growth. It dries well for winter decoration.

[Illustration: PLUME GOLDENROD: S. juncea.]

*Common Goldenrod.* _Solidago Canadensis._ *Tall Goldenrod.*

Found by the wayside, hedgerows, thickets and fields, everywhere; common: blossoming in August and September.

The round, leafy stem is stout and tall, sometimes reaching to the height of 6 feet; it is rough-downy, or hairy, to the touch, and of a light yellowish-gray color.

The oval leaf is long, tapering at both ends; usually notched on the edge, slightly rough above, and downy beneath; it is coarse in texture, and in the quality of its green color.

The flower-heads are small, and bright yellow; they grow on curving branchlets in a many-sided plume, on the top of the stalk.

[Illustration: COMMON GOLDENROD: S. Canadensis--⅔ life size.]

*Noble Goldenrod.* _Solidago speciosa._

Found during September growing in dry soil, near the woods often.

The smooth, round, single stalk varies from 3 to 6 feet in height. Its color is a fine dark red.

The leaf is long and narrow, and tapers at both ends; its margin is entire, the edge being a little rough, and the midrib is strong and curving, and a trifle taut, which fulls the blade; the texture is fine and thick, and the surface is smooth. The color is yellow-green. The leaves are set alternately upon the stalk.

The stamens of the disc flowers are long; the rays 5 or 6 in number; full-toned yellow in color. The heads are rather large, and are arranged in a large pyramid-shaped terminal spike.

A strikingly handsome plant, with its strong red stems, which color also tempers the green of its foliage into an excellent harmony with the numerous flowers. Its manner of growth in circular settlements of many plants together is a very individual trait.

[Illustration: NOBLE GOLDENROD: S. speciosa.]

*Small Spike Goldenrod.* _Solidago nemoralis._

Found in September along dry roadsides and in sandy fields.

The stalk, which seldom grows higher than 2 feet, is single, and very leafy, of a strong fibre, and slightly rough, or not quite smooth to the touch. It is grayish green in color.

Disc flowers are few, the rays are seldom more than 8 in number, arranged in little one-sided spires to form a close, leafy, spike-like plume. The color is very clear in hue.

Common to all localities favorable to the Goldenrods, and, as observed, reaching its fullness of bloom in September rather than in August.

[Illustration: SMALL SPIKE GOLDENROD: S. nemoralis.]

*Broad-leaved Goldenrod.* _Solidago latifolia._

Found in September and October on the edges of woods, and moist copses.

The stalk grows from 1 to 3 feet high; it is often zigzag in gesture or angular, is leafy, smooth to the touch, and woody-fibred. Its color is green.

The broadly-oval leaf tapers at both ends, the margin is cut in sharp slender teeth, ribs are marked, and the surface is rough to the touch. Color, yellowish green.

The disc flowers are small, and the ray flowers are few, from 4 to 6 in number; in color they are clear yellow. The cups are pale green, and the heads are gathered, in small clusters, on the end of the stalk, and in the angles of the upper leaves.

This is a pleasing variation from the common types of the Goldenrods; its prolonged leafy stem, slender in growth, and strung with small clusters of yellow flowers, is less showy, but more refined in general bearing than many others.

[Illustration: BROAD-LEAVED GOLDENROD: S. latifolia.]

*Wreath Goldenrod.* _Solidago cæsia._

Found, during September and October, growing in rich woods or on the borders of thickets.

The very slender, curving, stalk varies from 10 to 18 inches, or more, in height; it often branches near the end, and is leafy all the way; smooth. Clear green in color.

The leaf is long-oval in shape, tapering at both ends, with a sharp tip; it has a strong midrib, the margin is notched with sharp teeth, the texture is thin, and surface smooth. Green in color. The arrangement is alternate, the leaves being set on the stalk near together.

The ray flowers, 4 or 5 in number, are small; the little heads are clustered upon the stalk in the angles of the leaves for a considerable part of its length. The color is a pleasing yellow.

These slender, swaying, golden wreaths of bloom love best a shady wood road, though they bear transplanting into gardens fairly well.

[Illustration: WREATH GOLDENROD: S. cæsia.]

*Upland White Aster.* _Aster ptarmicoides._

Found among rocks, in dry soil, in August.

The stalk, erect in bearing, from 1 to 2 feet in height, is single, and very slender; smooth at the foot, though rough above. Of a gray-green color.

The leaf is like a grass blade, long, and narrow, with an entire margin, and noticeable midrib; the upper surface is rough, the edge being harsh to the touch, the under surface is shining. Color, gray-green. Arranged alternately, and clasping the stalk with an upward curve.

The disc flowers are small; of a pale yellow-green. The ray flowers, 15 or 20 in number, are short, pointed; pure white. The heads are arranged in a flat-topped loose cluster.

When the disc flowers mature they turn to a light brown color; at one period of development the pale pistils are prominent. There is an individual excellence about this Aster, existing especially in the curve of its leaf.

[Illustration: UPLAND WHITE ASTER: Aster ptarmicoides.]

*White Wood Aster.* _Aster corymbosus._

Found in moist woods during July and August.

The stalk, 12 or 15 inches high, branches near the top, and is sometimes zigzag in growth; slender, and smooth. In color a strong rich purple, or green, streaked with red or purple.

The lower leaves are heart-shaped, the upper long-oval, with tapering points; the margin notched, and the texture thin. Color green, lighter underneath. Set on short stems, and arranged alternately.

The disc flowers are few, and yellow; the 4 to 8 ray flowers are about a half inch long, narrow, delicate in texture, arranged in a scattering row, and pure white in color. The cups are small; the heads grouped in loose, leafy terminal clusters.

Perhaps the most daintily finished of the white Asters, it is also the most shy, loving shady nooks and lonely places amongst trees.

[Illustration: WHITE WOOD ASTER: A. corymbosus.]

*New England Aster.* _Aster Novæ-Angliæ._

Found in September in moist fields and waysides.

The strong stalk varies much in height (from 3 to 7 or 8 feet); it branches somewhat at the summit and bears many leaves, and is hairy to the touch. In color green, or purplish.

The leaf is lance-shaped, with a pointed tip, and a heart-shaped base, an entire margin, and hairy surface. The color is a fine, cool green. The leaves clasp the stalk closely, and are arranged alternately, and near together.

The disc flowers are yellow, inclining to purplish, gathered in a large, noticeable tuft; the ray flowers are large and long (15 to 20 in number), of fine texture, and of a rich deep violet or almost royal purple color. The cup is large, sticky, and its many tips turn abruptly outward; green in color. The heads are set on short, sometimes leafy, stems in small terminal groups.

A singularly handsome Aster, with a fine, free gesture, and admirable color harmony.

[Illustration: NEW ENGLAND ASTER: A. Novæ-Angliæ.]

*Starry White Aster.* _Aster multiflorus._

Found in August and September, in dry open fields, and waste places.

The stalk (from 1 to 2 feet in height) is leafy and shrubby in growth, and the branches are long and curving; it is slender, and rough to the touch. Green.

The lowest leaves are broad lance-shaped, pointed at each end, the margin sometimes notched; the upper leaves are long, and narrow, with an entire margin, and diminishing in size till they become line-like near the top of the stalk. The midrib shows plainly, the texture is firm. The color is gray-green, rather dark. The leaves are set immediately upon the stalk, closely and irregularly, and generally alternate.

The disc flowers are few; yellow, changing to brown. The ray flowers are fine and small, 10 to 15 in number; white. The cups very small; silvery green. The heads are arranged in profusion along the leafy branches.

The feathery prettiness of these curving spires of green and white loses nothing of its attraction because of its plentiful growth in barren places amidst the one-toned monotony of the Goldenrods. The quality of its green deserves especial regard.

[Illustration: STARRY WHITE ASTER: A. multiflorus.]

*Early Purple Aster.* _Aster puniceus._

Found in August in damp or swampy places.

The stalk varies from 3 to 5 feet in height, and is widely branching; the fibre is coarse, and it is roughened by hairs. The color is green, very often becoming purple near the foot.

The leaf is a long oval (near the foot sometimes fully 3 inches long), with strong and hairy midrib, and a slightly notched margin; the edge and upper surface are disagreeably rough to the touch. In color light green, the midrib sometimes purple. The arrangement is alternate.

The disc flowers are yellow, turning to tawny; the ray flowers (20 to 30 in number) are long, and of a delicate light purple. The cups are composed of several rows of long, fine, spreading green parts. The heads are arranged in small groups, set on short stems, which rise from the angles of the leaves.

Though somewhat awkward in manner of growth the blossoms of this early Aster are very pretty and profuse. The rays, as they lie folded in the bud, are silvery pale.

[Illustration: EARLY PURPLE ASTER: A. puniceus.]

*Pointed-leaved Aster.* _Aster acuminatus._

Found in August in rich woods (Mountains of Vermont).

It grows about 1 foot high, and has a slender, sometimes zigzag stalk, which is slightly rough, and bears the leaves and flowers clustered at the top.

The leaf, from 2 to 4 inches long, tapers at tip and base, and is coarsely toothed on the edge; the surface is a little hairy, and the texture is thin; the leaves, set directly on the stalk, are alternate at short distances, giving the effect of a whorl of leaves. Color green.

The flower-head has from 12 to 18 long, narrow, rays, white or faintly tinted with violet, while the disc flowers are dull yellow. The flower-heads are apt to be few, on slender stems in a branching cluster, on the top of the stalk.

This Aster lacks richness of color, but has a certain charm of slender growth peculiar to wood Asters; its few pale flowers set above the full cluster of the broad pale leaves have an air of selection, unknown to its more luxuriant relatives.

[Illustration: POINTED-LEAVED ASTER: A. acuminatus.]

*Broad-leaved Aster.* _Aster macrophyllus._

Found in the woods in September, generally in upland regions.

The single, very stout growing, stalk is between 1 and 2 feet in height; it is slightly rough to the touch. In color light green.

The lowest leaves (generally 3 in number) are very conspicuous, being especially large, and nearly round, with a heart-shaped base, and a suddenly sharp tip; with many ribs, and the margins prettily cut in rounding scallops, with tiny sharp teeth; these leaves are set on long trough-like stems that clasp the stalk. The upper leaves become, very abruptly, quite small; with fine-pointed tips, entire, slightly and irregularly notched margins, and showing only the midrib; they are set on very short stems, or, near the flowers, are placed immediately upon the stalk. All the foliage is exceptionally thin in texture, and rough on both surfaces; the arrangement is alternate. The color is a fine gray-toned green.

The disc flower is small; yellow turning to brown; the rays, 12 to 16 in number, are long and slender, of a very delicate texture, and pale lilac (sometimes nearly white it is asserted) in color. The cup is cylindrical, and slightly sticky, as are the foot-stems. The heads are arranged in a loose, terminal cluster.

An odor of camphor mingles with the sweet scent of these flowers, and is distinctly perceptible at a distance. The decorative quality of the leafage is of unique excellence.

[Illustration: BROAD-LEAVED ASTER: A. macrophyllus.]

*Pine Aster.* _Aster linariifolius._

Found chiefly on the edges of pine woods in September.

The stalk reaches from 1 to 2 feet in height; it is single, leafy, slender, and rough to the touch. In color, pale green, tinged with red.

The leaf is long, and narrow, with an entire margin; the surface covered with a minute down that is harsh to the touch; the fibre is stiff. The color is green. The leaves are set upon the stalk, irregularly, alternating, and numerous.

The disc flowers are yellow; the ray flowers, 12 to 20 in number, are long and slender, and pale bluish-lavender in color. The heads are few, and grow, on slender stems, either singly, or in a terminal flat-topped cluster.

The stiff edges of the leaves and their rigid bearing are not unlike the needles which carpet the favorite haunts this Aster loves. Though not pleasant to pluck, on account of its harsh texture, this is a very attractive plant to look upon.

[Illustration: PINE ASTER: A. linariifolius.]

*Variable-leaved Aster.* _Aster undulatus._

Found in dry woods, and thickets, during September.

The slender, branching stalk (2 to 3 feet high) is soft, with down, to the touch. Light green in color. Leaning and swaying in gesture.

The leaves are very variable in shape, the lowest being decidedly heart-shaped, and set on long margined stems (these margins somewhat notched) that clasp the stalk with shallow wings; above, the leaves are somewhat heart-shaped, and are set on short stems, that clasp the stalk with broad wings; while the upper leaves are set immediately upon the stalk, and clasp it by their prolonged bases. All the leaves have tapering tips, entire, or very slightly, notched margins, with a rough upper surface, while underneath it they are soft-hairy to the touch; they are placed alternately. The color is cool green.

The disc flowers are pale yellow at first, but become reddish-brown in maturity. The ray flowers, 10 to 20 in number, are pale lavender or lilac. The heads are arranged in loose clusters.

The color of this leafage, and its shapes, are very pleasing. Gray’s _Manual_ states the color of its rays as “bright blue”!

[Illustration: VARIABLE-LEAVED ASTER: A. undulatus.]

*Later Purple Aster.* _Aster patens._

Found during September and October along the borders of dry woods and thickets.

The stalk (from 1 to 2 and ½ feet high) is branching, and leafy, with a fine texture, and smooth surface; slender and swaying in growth. Its color is sometimes green, often a dull reddish-purple.

The leaf is long, and narrow, tapering at the tip, and partly clasping the stalk at the base; the margin is slightly rough to the touch, the texture is firm and thick, and the surface is smooth to the touch. Color, a cool dark grayish-green. The arrangement is alternate.

The disc flowers are sometimes yellow, or often reddish-violet; the rays, from 20 to 30, are a deep rich violet. The heads are set in vase-shaped green cups, whose parts are overlapping; they are numerous in large terminal clusters.

As the flowers mature, the rays curl inward around the disc, and dry thus on the plant; its leafage is very fine in quality, and in beautiful harmony with the rich brilliance of the blossoms.

[Illustration: LATER PURPLE ASTER: A. patens.]

*Branching Aster.* _Aster cordifolius._

Found in the latter part of September in shaded thickets and on dry banks.

The stalk is often about 4 feet high, very widely branching, leafy, and bearing a profusion of flowers; it has a coarse, very rough surface usually. In color reddish.

The leaf has a heart-shaped base, and pointed tip, a slightly notched or entire margin, and a coarse texture, the surface generally being rough above and also on the underside of the midrib; the upper leaves clasp the stalk, while the lower, and larger, leaves are set on short hairy stems. In color, a rather dull green. They are numerous all the way from foot to tip.

The many flower-heads, are small, with 14 to 20 delicate, short, pale-lavender rays; the cups are smooth and shining, and are set on leafy foot-stems, in large loose clusters.

Coming just as its purple and white sisters are departing, and as though desiring to atone for their cessation, this delightful late Aster fills the country roads and lanes with the generous abundance of its misty gray-lavender bloom.

[Illustration: BRANCHING ASTER: A. cordifolius.]

LOBELIA FAMILY.

LOBELIACEÆ.

*Spiked Lobelia.* _Lobelia spicata._

Found in pastures and waysides during July and August.

The single, very erect stalk varies from 1 to 2 feet in height, and is very slender, grooved, and noticeably twisted; its fibre is fine, and near the foot it is hairy to the touch. In color green, with a trace of red at the leaf.

The foot-leaves are large, and a wide oval in shape, and set on margined stems; the upper leaves are a long narrow, oval shape, diminishing in size to a mere line, and are set immediately upon the stalk; the margins are irregularly notched, they are downy to the touch, and light green, tending to yellow. Their arrangement is alternate.

The small flower is 2-lipped, the lower lip being 3-parted with a pair of swellings at the throat of the tube, the upper lip divided by a cleft down the length of the tube; all parts of the corolla are sharp-pointed, and flaring from the 5-parted calyx; the texture is fine and smooth, and the color a pure pale lavender, faintly lined with dark, white near the throat, and pinkish in the tube, the green calyx being also tinted with pink. The flowers, on short foot-stems, are set alternately, and close, in a long, very pretty spike.

There is something individual about the alert carriage of this plant, its whole gesture is erect and animated. It grows numerously in pastures, though in less close fellowship than its little brook sister.

[Illustration: SPIKED LOBELIA: Lobelia spicata.]

*Brook Lobelia.* _Lobelia Kalmii._

Found on moist ground in limestone soil, blossoming in July and August.

The erect, minutely angular stem, is slender, smooth and polished, fine and at the same time strong in fibre; in color a light grass-green.

The small, narrow and grass-like leaf is about an inch long; towards the root it broadens a little at the tip; color grass-green. The growth is alternate.