COMPOSITE FAMILY 



ascend the stem. Oblong-lanceolate, more or less 

 serrate, or rough-margined. Upper leaves usually 

 heart-shaped at base, clasping the stalk, the lower 

 ones taper into winged petioles, which are partly clasp- 

 ing. 



Flower-heads. — Borne in a terminal cluster, violet- 

 blue, rarely white, an inch across. Ray-florets fifteen 

 to thirty. Involucre bell-shaped; bracts in several rows. 



This Aster may be recognized by its thick, 

 smooth, clasping leaves, and often stands so 

 near the roadway as to be covered with the dust 

 of passing wheels. 



LATE-FLOWERING ASTER 



Aster patens 



A showy deep violet-blue Aster, preferring 

 dry places. Maine and Minnesota to Florida, 

 Louisiana and Texas. August-October, bloom- 

 ing at the north principally in October. 



Stem. — One to three feet high, with wide-spreading 

 branches. 



Leaves. — Rough - pubescent, oblong - lanceolate or 

 ovate-oblong, entire, acute or the lowest obtuse, clasp- 

 ing by an eared heart-shaped base, two to four inches 

 long. 



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