Part 9

Found in rich moist soil, along the edges of woods and shaded roads, in August and September.

The stalk (from 2 to 4 feet high) branches a little, and is leafy; it is large, strong, fine-fibred, and smooth. In color, pale green, tinged with dull purple.

The leaf is large, broadly oval, taper-pointed, and widest at the base, with 3 marked ribs, a coarsely toothed margin, a thin texture, and smooth surface. The leaves are set on short stems, and are placed opposite each other on the stalk. The color is green.

The minute flowers, and projecting pistils, are white; and grouped in small heads, enclosed in vase-shaped cups of green, on short stems. The heads are arranged in close, rather flat-topped clusters on the top of the stalk, and springing from the angles of the upper leaves.

This plant comes into bloom in company with its next of kin, Joe Pye and Boneset; it thrives well under cultivation, and certainly is worthy of a better name than “Snake-root,”--which is, perhaps, the reason it is so generally known by “Eupatorium,” the generic name it shares with so many others. It is much frequented by some small creature who leaves a pale labyrinthine trail etched on the broad surface of its leaves.

[Illustration: EUPATORIUM: E. ageratoides.]

*Joe Pye Weed.* _Eupatorium purpureum._ *Trumpet Weed.*

Found in moist grounds, ditches, and meadows, during August and September.

The erect, single, and leafy stalk varies from 4 to 8, or even sometimes 9, feet in height; it is large, and stout, and roughish to the touch. The color is a dull pinkish-purple.

The leaf is large, and oblong, tapering at both ends, the tip becoming a long slender point; the margin is notched, the ribs form a stout netted framework, the texture is coarse, and the surface is roughened. The leaves are set on very short stems, and arranged in whorls, of 3 to 6, about the stalk, at regular intervals. In color they are a strong vigorous green, the ribs often tinged with purplish-pink.

The small tubular flowers, and projecting thread-like pistils, are, in color, a light pinky purple; they are grouped in small heads, whose cups, and short foot-stems, are of the same color. The heads are arranged in thickly branching, large, more or less flat-topped, terminal clusters.

Joe Pye is a striking plant, of vigorous growth, whose large whorls of leaves are full of sweeping curves. Out of the sunlight and close at hand the flowers seem a little dingy in color, but by the wayside it is pleasing in tone. Why “Joe Pye”?

[Illustration: JOE PYE WEED: E. purpureum.]

*Common Thistle.* _Cnicus lanceolatus._

Found in pastures during July and August.

The branching, leafy stalk is 1 or 2 feet high; large, round, and tough-fibred; covered with white wool. In color, green.

The leaf is long, and narrow, tapering to a long point, with a large, stout, and curling midrib; the margin is deeply, and often cut, and armed at every point by strong, stiff, thorn-like spines. The texture is tough, and the upper surface is prickly, while the under is woolly with web-like hairs. The leaf clasps the stalk, and hugs it for a full inch or more before it springs away with a free curve; the lobes are ruffled, and flaring, as they lie along the stalk. The arrangement is alternate, and rather near together. The color is green, lighter at the midrib.

The flowers are small and silky; in color a beautiful deep crimson, tending toward violet. Many flowers are gathered into a large round-topped head, that is held in an admirably shaped green cup, which is protected by many, long, needle-pointed, white spines. One or two flower-heads occur together on the summit of the stalk, or branch. Their perfume is delicious.

This might well be named the Warrior Thistle, being armed _cap-a-pie_ for conflict with cows and boys, and nearly impregnable against them. It loves to sit beside a boulder in the midst of cow-path, or bye-lane, and defy intercourse with any, save the bumble-bees, who sleep upon the silken flower o’ nights. Special observation should be given to the classic vase-shape of the cup.

[Illustration: COMMON THISTLE: Cnicus lanceolatus.]

*Pasture Thistle.* _Cnicus pumilus._ *Bull Thistle.*

Found in dry pastures, uplands, roadsides, during July and August.

The erect, and somewhat branching, stalk varies from 1 to 3 feet in height; it is sparingly leafy, very large, and stout of fibre, and round; hairy to the touch. Color, green.

The leaf is long, and narrow, with a stout midrib; the margin is cut frequently but not deeply, each joint being tipped with a spine that is not so long as those of the Common Thistle; the texture is strong-fibred, the upper surface rather smooth, the underside covered with cobwebby hairs. The color, green. The leaf somewhat clasps the stalk; and the arrangment is alternate, at some distance apart.

The silky flowers are crimson-purple, less strong in tone than the Common Thistle; spreading softly, in a large, rounded, downy head, from the large cup. The cup is a fine urn-shape, closely covered with short prickles; green in color; with a few small leaves at the base. One to three flower heads rise from the summit of the stalk, or branches.

Larger (the flower-head is often nearly two inches across), but less ferociously equipped than the Warrior Thistle, this carries a sweeter perfume, and is the beloved of the bees. Especially is the flower-head lovely in color.

[Illustration: PASTURE THISTLE: C. pumilus.]

*Canada Thistle.* _Cnicus arvensis._

Found, during July and August, in lanes and fields.

The stalk is branching, and leafy, and from 2 to 3 feet in height; it is large, tough in fibre, and grooved. Its color is grayish-green.

The leaf is narrow, and sharp-pointed, the margin deeply notched, and much ruffled, and bristling in all directions and from every notch with short, sharp spines; the strong midrib is lighter in color than the grayish-green leaf. The leaves, set immediately upon the stalk, are alternately placed.

The small tubular flowers are 5-pointed, and the thread-like stamens and pistils are prominent; their color is lavender, while the stamens and pistils are white. They are gathered into tufted heads, enclosed in a gray-green vase-shaped cup, that is protected by short weak prickles; they grow in loose, branching clusters on the top of the plant.

This Thistle grows in great communities, spreading rapidly, and justly considered a pest by the farmer. The mass of its lavender colored bloom in its prime is pleasing to the eye, but later it develops an unkempt and weedy aspect, more befitting its character of an unwelcome tramp. Its flowers are sweet scented, and much sought by bees and butterflies.

[Illustration: CANADA THISTLE: C. arvensis.]

*Spiny-leaved Sow Thistle.* _Sonchus asper._

Found in cultivated fields, and along roadsides, in August.

The stalk is either simple, or branching near the top, from 2 to 3 or 4 feet high, large, round, and very hollow like a tube, and juicy; it is grooved, and smooth to the touch. The color is green, sometimes streaked with red near the foot.

The leaf is very long (sometimes 10 inches), lance-shaped with a tapering point, and noticeable rounded wing-like bases; the margin is deeply and irregularly toothed, and the edge is rolled under, thus making the teeth sharp-pointed, and stiff, like little spines; the midrib is prominent beneath, wide, flat, and pale above; underneath many veins show; the texture is thin, and the surface is smooth. The upper side is a cool clear green, the underside silvery, with a pale bloom. It is clasping, the prolonged bases flaring like wings on either side of the stalk.

The flowers are tiny and downy; light yellow in color; gathered in a flat-topped head (which is less than an inch across), enclosed in a small vase-shaped, green, and leafy cup. The heads are set on slender stems, in loose terminal groups, or singly on short leafy stems from the angles of the leaves; at the junction of these foot-stems small, oval leaves occur.

Nothing could be more suggestive of decorative design than the fine arch and spring of this leaf, with its ornamental winged clasps; and its refinement of color is an added excellence. The highly inappropriate folk-name (it is said to be a favorite article of diet among the English swine) should be abolished, and the plant called instead The Gothic Thistle in memory of a school who could appreciate its sculptural significance better than the moderns.

[Illustration: SPINY-LEAVED SOW THISTLE: Sonchus asper.]

*Common Sow Thistle.* _Sonchus oleraceus._

Found in fields, and cultivated lands in August.

The stalk varies in height from 1 to 4 feet; it is single, and leafy, somewhat twisting, tougher in fibre than _S. asper_, hollow, with a milky juice, and smooth. Color, a cool green.

The curiously cut leaf (about 6 inches long) is divided into a large triangular tip, a pair of acute-angled flaring side divisions, and narrow long-pointed bases which project like sharp-pointed wings beyond the stalk they clasp. Occasional leaves are not cut, and are merely lance-shaped. The midrib is flat above, and round beneath; the margin is toothed, with fine, weak spines; the texture is firm, and the surface is smooth and shining. Color, a fine cool green, the underside silvery with bloom. The arrangement is alternate.

The flowers are similar in color, size, and arrangement to _S. asper_. The foot-stems are sometimes bristly with short hairs, and at their junction occurs a long-pointed, small leaf, whose margin is entire. Below the flower-cluster the stalk is bare for a considerable space; single flower-heads spring from the angles of the leaves the greater part of its height.

The immature flower-heads are wrapped in a woolly blanket. The leaf is something like a Dandelion’s in shape, and interesting from a decorative point of view. These plants are said to be common to many countries,--Europe, Africa, and New Zealand. In the last-named region an old traveller says the parrots “of beauteous dyes, but odious accents” feed upon it.

[Illustration: COMMON SOW THISTLE: S. oleraceus.]

*Chicory.* _Cichorium Intybus._ *Succory.* *Blue Sailors.*

Found, from July to September, growing in dry waste places.

The stalk, which varies from 2 to 4 feet in height, is branching, and leafy, rather large, stout and tough of fibre, and rigid in growth; it is grooved and hairy. The color is gray-green.

The leaf is not large, oblong in shape, with a sharp tip; the margin is slightly notched, with spreading hairs along the edge; the midrib is strong and the surface is hairy; the gesture curving, or wavy. In color, gray-green. The lower leaves are sharply cut at the base. The arrangement is alternate, and the leaves clasp the stalk.

The flower is “strap-shaped,” rather broad, with a finely notched lip; the texture is very fine and thin, and the surface is shining and smooth. The color is an exquisite gray-blue or lavender, sometimes inclining to lilac, or even to pink. The flowers are arranged in heads, composed of several rows, spreading from a leafy green cup, which is closely surrounded by 4 or 6 little leaves (or “bracts”): all these parts being hairy. The heads are set close to the stalk in groups of twos and threes, in the angles of leaves, or singly on short stout stems.

These charmingly colored blossoms are scattered all along the stalks and branches, beginning near the foot, where they first open, not more than a few being in perfection at once. This scantiness of bloom and the stiff weediness of its growth make the Chicory plant less loved than it deserves for the peculiar beauty of its blue flowers. It grows most profusely near the seaboard, and in vacant city lots or neglected door-yards it bravely tries to hide the ugly remnants of civilization thrown aside by man.

[Illustration: CHICORY: Cichorium Intybus.]

*Burdock.* _Arctium Lappa._

Found, during August and September, along roads and in barren fields.

The stalk branches much, and is very leafy, with a bushy habit of growth, between 2 and 4 feet in height; it is large, stout-fibred, round, grooved, and rough to the touch. The color is light green, showing the red-purple tints of the flowers in streaks, especially at the junction of the stems.

The leaf is very large; the foot-leaves (often over 12 inches long) are rudely heart-shaped, and much puckered or fulled on the midrib, the upper leaves are smaller, and oval; the ribs show underneath in bold relief, the veins being like a strong network; the margin is entire, the texture coarse, and the surface rough. The color is gray-green, lighter underneath, while the midrib is pink above, and paler beneath. The leaves are set on stout, trough-like, reddish stems, which clasp the stalk; the arrangement is alternate.

The flower is very small and silky, crowded into a soft tuft, enclosed in an urn-shaped burr, which is armed with row upon row of sharp out-spreading spines, long, hooked, and sticky. The color of the heads varies, from nearly white, to a deep rose-purple, or blue-purple; the burr is green, or purple. The heads are set on short stems in irregular terminal groups, or on the short branches.

As the flowers mature thread-like white pistils push forth; they open first on the rim of the head. Ranking a pest among flowers, the Burdock is loved by children for its sticky burrs from which they fashion variegated toys. Designers would do well to study its bold finely arching leaves. “So if you please we will take a leaf of burdock, the principal business of that plant being clearly to grow leaves, wherewith to adorn foregrounds.”---Ruskin.

[Illustration: BURDOCK: Arctium Lappa.]

*Elecampane.* _Inula Helenium._

Found along roadsides in August.

Growing to the good height of 5 feet sometimes, this very large, and stout stalk is single and leafy, tough-fibred, but smooth to the touch. Colored green, with a beautiful purple-gray bloom.

The leaf is large; its heart-shaped base has prolonged points, and its tip tapers very much; the margin is irregularly scalloped, its ribs are many and strong, the midrib being large and prominent beneath, and so taut it puckers and pulls the blade; the texture is thick, and the underside is slightly woolly. The root-leaves are oval, and on long stems; the upper leaves are clasping, and alternately placed. Their color is a strong grayish-green, of a peculiarly fine, cool quality.

The flowers are small, and yellow, soon turning to tawny. They are set in a large disc, surrounded by many, narrow, bright yellow rays. The cup which holds the head is shallow and composed of many broad, curling or wavy, light green parts, which overlap each other in several rows; close beneath the cup occurs a small leaf. The head is set on a stem which bears a single leaf midway its length; two or three flower-heads are grouped together; they are placed terminally, and in the angles of the upper leaves.

Growing in large settlements, by the stone wall or Virginia-rail fence, Elecampane commands attention by its splendid vigor of growth, and the free curves of its fine leafage. In color too, it is highly suggestive of decorative purposes, for the excellence of its green, and the plum-gray bloom upon its stout stalk.

[Illustration: ELECAMPANE: Inula Helenium.]

*Life Everlasting.* _Anaphalis margaritacea._ *Pearly Everlasting.* *Moonshine (Vt.)*

Found in July, August, and September, in roadside tangles, dry pastures and uplands.

The stalk which varies from 12 to 18 inches in height is branching, and leafy, round, woody-fibred, and covered with silky wool. Of a light green color, much modified by the gray-white wool, which is often tinged with brown near the ground.

The leaf is very long and narrow, with a pointed tip, the midrib is noticeably strong, and the margin entire; it is soft and agreeable to the touch, because of the silky wool which covers both upper and lower surfaces, and tempers its color to a light gray-green, somewhat darker than the stalk. The arrangement is clasping, alternate, and frequent.

The flower is very small and fuzzy; yellow, or tawny-brown, according to the stage of its maturity; it is arranged in small tufts, enclosed by many rows of tiny, dry, gray-white sheath-like husks, that enfold and guard it closely. The head is set on a short, downy, white foot-stem. Several (4 to 12) heads are gathered together upon a longer stem, and a few, or many, of these groups are arranged in a loose terminal cluster. Sometimes these clusters are very large,--measuring 6, or even 8 inches across.

A peculiar dry odorousness pervades the blossoms, and forms an essential feature of the charm this Everlasting possesses for its friends, a charm as undefinable as that which abides in the New England pastures, where it loves to dwell in thrifty fellowship with the Hardhack and Huckleberry bushes.

[Illustration: LIFE EVERLASTING: Anaphalis margaritacea.]

*Everlasting.* _Gnaphalium polycephalum._ *Cudweed.*

Found in August and September, in dry fields, and open roadsides.

The stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet in height; it branches near the top, and is leafy all the way, of a stiff fibre, with a woolly surface. The color is green, the wool whitish.

The leaf is long, and narrow, with a strong midrib, and entire, or slightly irregular, margin; the under surface is woolly. In color gray-green, whitish underneath, because of the wool. The arrangement is clasping, and slightly hugging the stalk; alternate.

The tubular flower is small, and gathered into a close tuft; of a dull, light, tawny color, which turns darker with age. The tufted head is held tightly within a deep cup, composed of many shining white sheaths. The heads are set on foot-stems, in groups of 2 to 8, and arranged in terminal clusters.

When the ripened downy seed is ready to fly away, the closely folded little cups open wide. A full pleasant fragrance belongs to the blossoms.

[Illustration: EVERLASTING: Gnaphalium polycephalum.]

*Yarrow.* _Achillea Millefolium._ *Milfoil.*

Found from July to September, in dry fields and roadsides.

The stalk, which is very erect in bearing, grows to be about 2 feet high usually; it is single, or branches near the top, and leafy; of a stout fibre difficult to pluck, round and grooved, and covered with wool which causes the green color to look whitish.

The leaf is long and narrow, deeply and finely cut into slender line-like divisions, these being also cleft 3 or 5 times which gives it a fringy appearance; with a strong midrib, and covered with white wool on the underside. The color is gray-green. It is clasping, and the arrangement is alternate, and often crowded into little tufts along the stems.

The flower is very small; pale brown, or bright cheese-colored yellow; crowded into a small thimble-topped head, and surrounded by 3 to 5 small, oblong, white rays, with finely notched tips. The head is held in a deep, pale green, or nearly white, cup, and set on a slender, leafy, white, or pale green stem. The heads are arranged in terminal clusters.

Generally the flower-cluster is noticeably flat-topped, even the small groups of the side branches strive to reach a uniform level with the central cluster. A friar-like gravity of hue shows this plant to be a typical New Englander, thriving with sturdy content on sterile soil, and sending forth a wholesome aromatic odor. In certain localities the rays are tinted pink, almost crimson.

[Illustration: YARROW: Achillea Millefolium.]

*White Lettuce.* _Prenanthes alba._ *Rattlesnake-root.*

Found on the borders of rich woods in August and September.

The erect stalk, from 2 to 4 feet high, branches near the summit, and is leafy all the way; it is large, round, and smooth. Color, green, or frequently a dark, rich, purplish-red, with a bloom upon it.

The leaves are variable in shape and size; the root-leaves are large, often and deeply cleft, and set on a 3- to 5-inch stem; the lower leaves of the stalk are broad, faintly notched or 3-cleft; while the upper leaves are long and narrow, with entire margins. Their texture is thin (when dried, like paper in quality), and their surface smooth. In color, a dark cool green.

The flower-head is composed of 8 or 12 small “strap-shaped” blossoms hanging from a cup; they are cream colored, tinged with lilac; the cup is composed of 8 narrow, pinkish-gray parts; the stamens are noticeable because their tips split and curl spirally,--they are cream colored also. A few small bracts occur at the base of the flower-head, which droops on a small stem. The heads are arranged in little clusters springing from the angles of the branches and leaves.

As the flower-head matures, there may be found within its nodding cup a bunch of fine reddish hairs, like a sable paint brush,--later this opens into a downy seed tassel. The fine stalk gives the plant a distinguished appearance.

[Illustration: WHITE LETTUCE: Prenanthes alba.]

*Rattlesnake-root.* _Prenanthes altissima._

Found during August and September on the edge of dark woods, and in damp places, that are shaded.

The stalk, often about 3 feet high, sometimes attains to more than man’s stature; it is very erect, branches only for flowers, is leafy, round, firm-fibred, and smooth. Green in color.

The root-leaves are large (2 or 3 inches in length), wedge-shaped, or 3- to 5-divided; the upper leaves are smaller, varying from a wedge or heart-shape to a long-pointed oval. They all have entire, or faintly notched margins, and the midribs, shining above, are rough beneath. They are set on stems, which are sometimes provided with narrow spreading margins; the arrangement is alternate, with a certain interval between.

The flower is small, “strap-shaped,” with a square notched tip; cream-white in color. 5 or 6 are included in a tubular cup, composed of a close-folded row of narrow, green or purplish, pale, leafy parts; these cups are set nodding on slight foot-stems, and arranged in small irregular groups, on short branches, which form a long, irregularly arranged terminal spike.

The blossoms are so small they are quite out of proportion to the height and strength of the stalk; their habit is scattering, and only a few heads open at the same time. The plant is most effective when all its stiff little downy seeds are spreading themselves for flight.

[Illustration: RATTLESNAKE-ROOT: P. altissima.]

*Bur Marigold.* _Bidens cernua._

Found through August and September in swampy grounds. It is very common, and grows from 1 to 5 feet in height.

The stalk is leafy and branching, large and tough-fibred, smooth, but grooved from the joints. The color is light yellow-green.

The long leaf is narrow, and tapering to a slender point; it is somewhat fulled upon the taut midrib, and the margin is irregularly notched, while the surface is smooth. The color is a strong yellow-green, lighter on the wide midrib. The leaves are opposite each other, and partly grown together about the stalk.

The small, tubular disc flower is dull tawny in color; the rays, usually 8 in number, are broad, and of a bright golden-yellow color. The large flower-heads are encircled by two rows of green, or greenish, bracts, the outer row being slightly twisted; they are somewhat nodding on short stems of equal length, and spring from the angles of the leaves.

The seed, armed with 4 stout prongs, and plentifully set with backward-pointing bristles, is familiarly known as “beggars’ tick” or “stick-tight,”--it never loses a chance to catch a ride on the clothes of the unwary passer-by. Its smooth grooved stem, swelling at the joint, is an interesting feature of this otherwise rather coarse plant.

[Illustration: BUR MARIGOLD: Bidens cernua.]

*Rayless Marigold.* _Bidens frondosa._

Found in August and September, lying in wait for travellers along roadside ditches and in wet fields.

The stalk, which grows any height from 2 to 6 feet, bears branches in pairs; is very leafy, and stout, round, coarse-fibred, and slightly shining. In color, purplish green.