Part 8

The minute white corolla is 4-pointed, or occasionally 3-pointed, with the same number of stamens; the calyx is green, and the foot-stems are very small. The flowers grow in branching clusters from the whorls of leaves.

Though a pretty plant growing, it is not a pickable one, as its weak stems get themselves inextricably entangled and caught on their own armor.

[Illustration: SMALL BEDSTRAW: Galium asprellum.]

COMPOSITE FAMILY.

COMPOSITÆ.

*Plantain-leaved Everlasting.* _Antennaria plantaginifolia._ *Spring Everlasting.* *Pussy-toes.*

Found in light soil, meadows, and uplands, in April and May.

The short, leafy stalk, covered with a silvery wool, runs on the ground, and is from 3 to 10 inches in height. Pale green in color.

The small, broad-oval leaf is rounded at the tip, 3-ribbed, of a tough fibre, and, when young, covered with a silky white wool. It is set on a short, margined stem. In color, light grayish-green.

The flowers are gathered in small heads,--the stamen-bearing and pistil-bearing flowers growing on different plants. The pistil-bearing heads are like little bundles of silky threads, silvery white; the stamen-bearing heads are more rounded in shape, and of a creamy-white color, the tawny stamens being tipped with orange. The heads are set in pale green, urn-shaped, small cups, on short foot-stems, forming a little group on the top of the flower-stem.

Spring Everlasting spreads rapidly by runners sent out from the main plant, and its grave prettiness does not save it from being considered a troublesome pest by the farmer looking for good grass pasturage for his herd.

[Illustration: PLANTAIN-LEAVED EVERLASTING: Antennaria plantaginifolia.]

*Dandelion.* _Taraxacum officinale._

Found, during April and May, in every sunny meadow, lawn, and grassy road.

The leaves, and the flowers on stems which vary from 3 or 4 to 12 inches in height, rise from the root.

The long and narrow leaf is often and irregularly cut, the notches generally pointing backwards, and the margin is also sharply toothed; the texture is close, the surface is smooth, and the midrib is wide; the edge is wavy. In color, grass green, the midrib pale. Many leaves grow in a rosette-like cluster from the root,--the flower buds held in the center.

The small “strap-shaped” flowers, with their notched ends, are gathered in overlapping rows, to form a large circular head; in color they are a brilliant orange-yellow, the central flowers deeper in tint. The head is confined in a cup of many narrow, dark green, leafy bracts, and set on long, smooth, elastic stems, which are hollow, and juicy with a bitter-flavored milk.

The seed-globe of the Dandelion is a favorite with children, by whom it is named a “clock”; its seeds are furnished with feathery plumes, which serve as wings to waft them abroad. The flower-stem too is easily split when plucked, and curls into enchanting spirals that no youthful taste may resist. When cut off short by the cruel lawn-mower, these generous plants put forth fresh golden discs close to the ground within the leaves.

[Illustration: DANDELION: Taraxacum officinale.]

*Coltsfoot.* _Tussilago Farfara._

Found in moist meadows, on banks, and brooksides in May.

The flowers and leaves grow from the root, about 4 or 6 inches high.

The leaf appears some time after the flowers; it is large, rounding, with a heart-shaped base, the margin slightly broken by small rounded points, and with strong ribs radiating from the base; it is exceptionally fine in texture, and the upper side is possessed of a silky smoothness, the lower side being soft woolly (the new leaves are very woolly). They grow from the root on stout, half-round stems, that are dull purplish-red in color, and often covered with a loose white wool; the leaves are a fine cool green, silvery beneath.

The small flowers are grouped in dandelion-like heads, with many fine fringy rays; all colored alike a bright yellow. The head is held in a deep, leafy cup that is green strongly tinged with reddish-brown; it grows on a stout, grooved, roughish stem, which bears several, small, brownish scales; it rises from the ground before the leaves.

The Coltsfoot, introduced from England, has become thoroughly naturalized here. Its blossoms bear a certain superficial resemblance to the Dandelion, though really different in habits of growth. The leaves are truly decorative, growing thickly in large spaces, and forming a mosaic of green tiles close down to the brook’s edge.

[Illustration: COLTSFOOT: Tussilago Farfara.]

*Robin’s Plantain.* _Erigeron bellidifolius._

Found in meadows and fields, during May and June.

The stalk (from 8 to 18 inches high) is single, and sparingly leafy; grooved, and slightly hairy. Color, light green.

The long, narrow leaf, with a tapering tip, and a partly-clasping base, has a taut midrib which fulls the blade; its margin is sparsely notched (except that of the upper leaves), and the surface is slightly hairy. The color is green, with a paler midrib. The arrangement is alternate, and at long intervals.

The disc flowers are very small, and in color greenish-yellow; set in a flat-topped head, surrounded by many long rays, like a finely cut fringe, which are blue or pinkish-lavender. The cup is hemispherical, and green. The heads form a flat-topped terminal cluster.

Robin’s Plantain grows in communities among tall grasses, swaying gracefully on its long stalks as the breeze sweeps over the field. This is apparently the only one of its class that is distinguished by an attractive folk-name of its own,--all the rest are Daisy Fleabanes.

[Illustration: ROBIN’S PLANTAIN: Erigeron bellidifolius.]

*Daisy Fleabane.* _Erigeron Philadelphicus._

Found in meadows and roadsides during June.

The simple, and leafy, stalk grows from 2 to 8 feet high; it is rather slender, finely grooved or lined, and a little hairy. In color a light green.

The root-leaves are very long, the others decrease in size as they mount the stalk; they are long and narrow, with sparsely and irregularly notched margins (sometimes only one to a leaf), and a firm texture,--smooth to the touch. The color is green. They clasp the stalk partly, and occur alternately.

The disc flowers form a small flat button, which is at first greenish, and later changes to yellowish-orange; the rays are many, fine and fringy in appearance, and varying in color from white to pink. The cup is light green. The flower heads grow in somewhat flat-topped clusters on the top of the stalk, upon limber stems which are inclined to droop.

This Fleabane follows Robin’s Plantain in the succession of June flowers, and bears a general resemblance to the other plants of its genus, which renders it difficult to distinguish individually from its fellows.

[Illustration: DAISY FLEABANE: E. Philadelphicus.]

*Golden Rag-wort.* _Senecio aureus._ *Squaw-weed.*

Found in May or June in pasture lands.

The stalk, which grows from 1 to 8 feet high, is single, somewhat rigid in bearing, leafy, hollow, and woody-fibred, with a grooved surface. Its color is green, with dull brown streaks.

The lower leaves are simple, and round or heart or lyre-shaped, with toothed margins, and are set on long stems; the upper leaves are long and narrow, their margins deeply cleft, and are set upon the stalk, partly clasping it. The texture is thin, and surface smooth. A rich green in color.

The bloom is small, of a deep orange hue; it is gathered in a close head, surrounded by 6 to 14 short rays, which have slightly notched tips, are of fine texture, and are an absolute orange-yellow color. The heads are set in a smooth, deep cup, of a yellow-green color tipped with red; they are arranged, on long slender stems, in a loose terminal cluster.

Occasionally the flower-stems bear thread-like leaves; sometimes the grooved stalk is slightly twisted. The leafage is inclined to curl, and with its fine deep notches presents a feathery appearance. The foot-tuft of leaves is interesting in arrangement.

[Illustration: GOLDEN RAGWORT: Senecio aureus.]

*May-weed.* _Anthemis Cotula._ *Pigstye Daisy (Mass.).* *Dog Fennel.*

Found through the summer, from May to October, growing about buildings, or in waste places.

The stalk is seldom a foot in height, branching in a bushy fashion, and very leafy; it is slender but tough-fibred, and smooth. In color light green.

The leaf is small and indeterminate in shape, it is cut so deeply and irregularly as to present an aspect of being all fringed margin and no leaf; the midrib is strong, and the texture coarse. Color, light green. The leaves are set alternately and close together upon the stalk or branch.

The flowers are small and yellow, arranged in a flat disc, surrounded by a sparse number of oblong, notched, white rays. The leafy cup, which holds the flower-head, is dry and husk-like. The heads are terminal, and single.

This is a plant of communal habit, and profusely flowering. It has a trick of folding down its rays at night, and is a great sluggard about spreading them in the morning. After the rays age and fall, the disc becomes cone-shaped. “It has taken up its place by the roadside, close to the ruts--in bad taste.” (Thoreau’s Journal for June 25, 1852.)

[Illustration: MAY-WEED: Anthemis Cotula.]

*Dwarf Dandelion.* _Krigia Virginica._

Found from May to August on sandy banks and roadsides, and in pastures.

The several flower-stems rise from a mat of root-leaves; they vary from 3 to 10 inches in height, and are very slender, hairy, and green.

The earlier leaf is round, with an entire margin, and set on a very short stem; the later is oblong and narrow, with a sometimes notched margin, and scattering hairs upon the edge, and a thin texture. The color is light green. Later in the season a few slender leaves are found on the flower-stems.

The flowers are all ray flowers, 12 to 20 in number, small, with very finely-notched tips; rich orange, yellow in color. The cup which holds the head is small and tubular; its spreading row of tips is a little shorter than the rays; green in color.

The dark seed with its 5 or 7 rounded scales and an equal number of long thread-like white bristles is a charming feature of this delicate little plant. Sometimes the flower-stems fork, and bear two heads.

[Illustration: DWARF DANDELION: Krigia Virginica.]

*Ox Eye Daisy.* _Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum._ *White Weed.* *Bull’s Eye.*

Found from June to October in fields, meadows, and roadsides, growing most abundantly in poor soil.

The stalk, whose height varies from 10 to 18 inches, is often single but sometimes sparsely branching, and bears but few leaves; it is of a tough fibre, sometimes grooved, and smooth. Light green in color.

The root-leaves are round-tipped, infrequently cut, and are set on stems; the upper leaves are very irregular in shape, and capriciously cleft or cut; the margins are entire, the texture tough, and the midrib strong. They clasp the stalk at intervals, alternately. Green in color.

The flowers are small, tubular, and yellow; they are packed evenly in a disc shaped liked a flat button (it becomes more conical with maturity), surrounded by a single row of about 25 rays. These rays are noticeably long, of a fine texture; pure white in color. The flower-head is supported by a mat of green taper-pointed bracts, whose tips are often rusty; it is set singly on the summit of the stalk.

This sturdy colonizer, the farmer’s pest and children’s delight, frequently usurps a whole field, where it thrives and blooms till frost-time in spite of draughts or flood. Double Daisies and conical-shaped discs are occasionally found, besides other variations from the regular order. The leafage is interesting, and individual in gesture.

[Illustration: OX EYE DAISY: Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum.]

*Early Hawkweed.* _Hieracium venosum._ *Rattlesnake-weed.*

Found in June in the shade of dry woods, or on barren hilltops and pastures.

The flower-stem springs from a rosette of foot-leaves; it grows from 1 to 2 feet high, bears but one leaf midway, and is smooth and shining. Of a light green color, with flecks of crimson at the leaf, and near the foot.

The foot-leaf is large (from 1 to 3 inches long), a long oval with a pointed tip, the midrib is wide, flat, and hairy, the prolonged base, or short stem, is partly clasping; the margin is entire and fringed with gray hairs, the texture is leathery. In color a dull light green, while the edge, ribs, and underside are red-purple. The single leaf on the flower-stem is long, narrow, and smooth; of a dull green color.

The flower is like a ribbon (or “strap-shaped”) with a finely notched tip; of fine texture, and smooth. The color is a bright Dandelion yellow. 20 or more of these flowers are arranged in a spreading head, enclosed in a leafy light green cup, whose tips are tawny-red. The heads are set on long, slender stems, which fork from the main stem, with a tiny leaf sitting at the point of junction.

This jaunty plant, though found in the open, likes also the shade, where yet it never fails to swing its yellow heads out towards the sunshine. Sometimes the foot-leaves are wanting, and the flower-stem rises from the bare ground.

[Illustration: EARLY HAWKWEED: Hieracium venosum.]

*Canada Hawkweed.* _Hieracium Canadense._

Found, during August and September, growing along roads and thickets in dry shade.

The stalk, which grows to 2 or 3 feet high, is simple at first, but branches above, and is leafy; it is round, hard-fibred, smooth--but downy near the flowers. In color a light green, pale near the foot.

The leaf is a long lance shape, pointed at the tip and broad at the base, with a prominent strong midrib, the margin sparingly and sharply toothed; of a firm texture, and smooth. The color is a medium green, silvery underneath, the midrib light. It is set close upon the stalk, slightly clasping it; the arrangement is alternate. The length of the lowest leaves (sometimes 4 inches) decreases gradually, to that of a tiny thread at the spring of the flower-stems.

The flowers are finely notched at the tip; of a bright pure yellow color. The noticeably protruding two-tipped pistil is tawny-gray. The flower-head is large and spreading; its green cup is smooth and close-folded. The heads, on slender, downy, green stems, each of which bears a single leaf, are arranged in a loose terminal cluster.

Like all the Hawkweeds the Canada loves not solitude, but grows in gay encampment along a shaded road, where travellers welcome its strong absolute yellow, that is yet tempered to pleasing softness of tint by the many little gray pistils.

[Illustration: CANADA HAWKWEED: H. Canadense.]

*Tawny Hawkweed.* _Hieracium aurantiacum._

Found in June, in open fields and roadways.

The flower-stem rises from a rosette of foot-leaves; it bears one or two leaves near the-ground, is slender, round, grooved, and hairy. The hairs are dark enough to somewhat obscure the green color of the stem.

The leaf is long oval, with an irregular margin, and strong midrib; the texture is coarse, and both upper and under surfaces are covered by long gray hairs. The color is green, with a lighter midrib. One or two leaves occur upon the flower-stems,--they are smaller than the others.

The tip of the slender “strap-shaped” flower is more finely fringed than is usual with the Hawkweeds. In color an orange-red, or tawny, rather dark in hue, while the pistil is bright yellow. The cup is green, with many dark tawny hairs. The heads are set on short stems in a terminal cluster.

This is the flower commonly known in England by the folk-name of “Grim the Collier,” because of the dark and hairy aspect of its blossoms; the hairs near the flower-heads are of noticeable length and modify their color perceptibly. It is to be noted that the heads are composed of fewer colors than most of the common Hawkweeds. The plumy seeds are of a yellow-gray color and very pretty. Although the botanical calendar places the flowering time of the Tawny in June, personal observation has only noted it in the autumn; during middle September it is to be found in full bloom in northern Vermont.

[Illustration: TAWNY HAWKWEED: H. aurantiacum.]

*Hairy Hawkweed.* _Hieracium Gronovii._

Found, in August and September, in dry pasture lands.

The stalk branches only for the flowers, and varies from 12 to 16 inches in height; it is round, and slender, roughened by short small hairs, and is somewhat zigzag in manner of growth. Of a green or reddish-purple color.

The leaf is oval, pointed at both ends, with an entire margin, and strong midrib; both surfaces are rough and woolly. The color is green. The lower leaves are sometimes 4 inches in length, and narrow. The leaves are set immediately upon the stem, at long intervals.

The flowers are slightly notched at the tip. A strong yellow color. The cup is vase-shaped, hairy; and green. The heads are set on slender, rough-hairy stems, and arranged in a terminal cluster; a small leaf occurs at the junction of the stems.

The blossoms open only in the broad sunlight, and when plucked wilt quickly, thus losing their chief charm, a jaunty carriage.

[Illustration: HAIRY HAWKWEED: H. Gronovii.]

*Wild Lettuce.* _Lactuca hirsuta._

Found on waysides, and edges of thickets, in July.

The simple leafy stalk grows to be 3 or 4 or 5 feet high; it is hollow, and large, with a strong fibre, a thick, milky and bitter juice, and a tough skin whose surface is somewhat hairy. The color is usually a dark purplish-red.

The long leaf is deeply cut, or lobed, even almost to the wide midrib,--the lobes pointing toward the base of the leaf,--the tip taper-pointed; the upper leaves are slightly or not at all lobed; the surface is smooth above, sometimes hairy on the underside of the midrib. The arrangement is alternate, the leaves partly clasping the stalk. In color a full green, the midrib of the lower leaves a dark reddish-purple.

The minute flowers are collected in small heads, set in vase-shaped green cups; their color varies from a light, dull lavender, to a dingy white. The heads grow in branching clusters from the summit of the stalk.

The stout, tall, dark red stalk and broadly veined leaves make this a conspicuous inhabitant of the roadside; its small flowers however do not seem to fulfil the promise put forth by this vigorous growth. The dark brown, flattened seeds have fine, white, dandelion-like plumes.

[Illustration: WILD LETTUCE: Lactuca hirsuta.]

*Wormwood.* _Artemisia Absinthium._

Found during July and August along roads and lanes.

The stalk grows from 2 to 3 feet high, and is branching, and shrubby; its fibre is strong, it is slightly grooved, and silky to the touch. In color silvery green.

The rather small leaf is often divided to the midrib, the divisions being long and narrow; the surface is smooth, with fine silky hairs. Color, silvery green. The leaves are set upon the stalk in clusters, alternately; they have an aromatic scent.

The flowers are very minute, of a pale yellowish-green color, and clustered in small hemispherical heads, in pale green cups; their heads, nodding along the sides of the slender branchlets, form long terminal spires.

This Artemisia, though escaped from the garden, has taken most kindly and naturally to the common road, where its light silvery sheen renders it quite distinct from the surrounding growths. It has an agreeable pungent odor, resembling that of the Chrysanthemum, though much stronger, and it is very bitter to the taste.

[Illustration: WORMWOOD: Artemisia Absinthium.]

*Tansy.* _Tanacetum vulgare._

Found in July and August, chiefly along walls and fences, although occasionally in fields.

The stout and sturdy stalk, which grows to be sometimes 4 feet high, is branching and leafy, tough-fibred, round and smooth. Of a rich, light green color.

The large and long leaf is so deeply cleft into many narrow, oblong divisions, and the margin is so regularly toothed, that it bears the appearance of a curly feather; the vigorous curving midrib is an important feature; its texture is coarse, and it is pungently odorous. The color is a full, rich, dark green.

The flowers are very small, of a strong, full yellow, tending slightly toward green; packed tightly into a flat head, like a button with a little dent in the middle. The heads, enclosed in a shallow, yellow-green leafy cup, are set on slender, light green stems, and arranged in large, loose terminal clusters.

Growing in thickly-settled communities the Tansy plant forms a well known member of the roadside tenantry with its noble dark foliage, luxuriant and usually free from blight, and strong stalks topped profusely by the flower clusters, whose yellow is toned to a remarkable harmony with green. On a hot day the smell of the Tansy may be perceived at a considerable distance. “In the spring time are made with the leaves hereof, newly sprung up, and with eggs, cakes or Tansies, which be pleasant in taste, and goode for the stomacke,” says Gerarde, and echoes of rules for Tansy-cakes come to us from the records of early New England house-wives.

[Illustration: TANSY: Tanacetum vulgare.]

*Black-Eyed Susan.* _Rudbeckia hirta._ *Cone Flower.* *Coreopsis.* *“Yellow Daisy.”* *Golden Jerusalem (N. H.)*

Found in sunny meadows and grass fields during July and August in great profusion.

The stalk (from 1 to 2 feet high) is very erect, sometimes bears branches, and is sparingly leafy; it is strong-fibred, coarse-textured, and hairy. The color, light green, is often brownish near the foot.

The leaf is long and narrow, with a fine-pointed tip, and an entire margin; the texture is loose, and the surface rough. The color is yellow-green. It slightly clasps the stalk. The leaves are arranged sparsely and alternately.

The minute flowers, of a rich, deep purple-brown color, are packed smoothly and closely in a cone-shaped head, the base of which is surrounded by a single row of 12 or 15 rays; these rays are over an inch long, and are sometimes one-half wide, they are blunt-pointed with a notched top, their texture is silken and faintly shows the veins, and their color is of a noble full yellow. The head is set upon a mat made of a double row of overlapping, small, green parts, and is borne singly on the summit of the stalk, or branch.

A ruthless invader of mowing lots where it makes a brilliant patch of color that may be discerned from afar, the farmer wages war on this handsome flower. It is not unusual to find it indulging in odd variations upon the established habit of blossoming, such as doubling the rows of rays, or with two or three heads bunched together, or set atop of one another.

[Illustration: BLACK-EYED SUSAN: Rudbeckia hirta.]

*Thoroughwort.* _Eupatorium perfoliatum._ *Boneset.*

Found in roadside thickets, and the borders of copses, during July and August.

The simple stalk, commonly about 2 feet high, sometimes grows to the height of 4 feet; it is large, strong-fibred, round, and hairy to the touch. In color pale green.

The leaf is lance-shaped, with a long fine-pointed tip, and united at the base to the opposite leaf, completely encircling the stalk as though strung upon it; the margin is finely notched, the midrib stout, with many veins showing; the upper surface is rough, the underside is hairy. The color is a strong green. The pairs of leaves are set at right angles with each other, and at a considerable space apart.

The flowers are small and feathery; greenish white. They are gathered in small tuft-like heads, and arranged in loose, leafy, terminal clusters, on short, stout, pale stems.

A charming kink in the outline marks the joining of the leaves. The pleasant perfume of the blossoms is proclaimed by the frequent visits of the bees. Sometimes the flower-cluster spreads to an unexpected size; personal measurement has discovered a plant, but 18 inches in height, whose clustered bloom was fully a foot across.

[Illustration: THOROUGHWORT: Eupatorium perfoliatum.]

*Eupatorium.* _Eupatorium ageratoides._ *White Snake-root.*