COMPOSITE FAMILY 



leaves, and in August inconspicuous. Com- 

 posite flower-heads at the summit of stems and 

 branches. 



Stems. — Two to four feet high, more or less stained 

 with purple, often entirely dark. 



Leaves. — Opposite, compound; leaflets oblong-lance- 

 olate, sharply serrate, acuminate. Upper leaves often 

 undivided. 



Flower-heads. — A quarter to half an inch across. 

 Ray -florets few or wanting, yellow. Disk -florets 

 brownish yellow. Involucre hemispherical, leafy; outer 

 bracts often longer than the inner ones. Akenes flat, 

 rather wedge-shaped, dark, margins hairy; the two 

 awns with downward barbs. 



Bidens is a militarist and always takes the 

 fighting chance. It is indeed a weed of the 

 ditches, rises well into sight in July, blooms 

 abundantly in August, but makes no particular 

 impression upon anybody until its seeds are 

 ripe in September, when the involucre that has 

 protected the tender florets and growing akenes 

 finally gives way, forms a circular brown plat- 

 form, and upon it rests a cluster of little armed 

 warriors, the hope and promise of the plant. 



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