1900] Graves,— A little-known New England Goldenrod 59 
plants being in best flowering condition during the second or third 
week, but a few prolonging its season into the first week of October. 
The discs, which at first are yellow, turn as they mature a purplish 
brown before any change takes place in the rays; thus flowers which 
have somewhat passed their prime show a marked color contrast be- 
tween rays and discs. 
Solidago asperula Desf. as here treated is a variable species, includ- 
ing several more or less well-marked forms. In the field, however, it 
has an aspect of its own, and is almost always easily recognizable at 
sight. 
Its nearest relative is S. rugosa Mill., which also it most resembles 
in habit, but it is readily distinguished from that species by its smoother 
stem, its longer, smoother, less rugose, more erect leaves, and its much 
larger heads, with more numerous ample rays. 
S. ulmifolia Muhl. inhabits wet ground, blooms a month or more 
earlier, and furthermore differs from S. asperu/a in its smooth stem and 
small heads, with few rays. : 
From S. sempervirens L. it is easily separated by its more slender, 
rougher stem, its thinner, smaller usually serrate leaves, its more open, 
broader panicle, and its smaller heads. Moreover, the seaside golden- 
rod has usually an abundance of basal leaves at flowering time, which 
is not the case with S. asperu/a. 
Some forms suggest S. Canadensis L., because of their narrower 
somewhat triple-nerved leaves, but they are never as distinctly 3-ribbed 
as in that species. It is further distinguished from S. Canadensis by 
its smoother stem and leaves, and larger heads, with numerous broad 
rays. 
From A. E//rotti? Torr. & Gray its more or less rough papillose stem, 
its longer, narrower more erect leaves, the lower of which are often 
petioled, its broad rays, and its open paniculate or corymbose-paniculate 
inflorescence serve to differentiate it, Furthermore, S. Zon? is an 
inhabitant of wet meadows and swamps, while S. asperula seems to 
prefer dry or dryish soil. 
The writer is under great obligation to Mr. M. L. Fernald of the 
Gray Herbarium for indispensable aid in the preparation of this paper. 
