COMPOSITiE. 131 



feet high, slightly pubescent ; leaves lanceolate, nerved, entire, 

 slightly clasping ; June to August. 



The other four species, heterophyllum, L., Philadelphicum, L., 

 purpureum, L., and strigosum^ L., have little interest. 



Senecio. L. 17. 2. 



So called, like the last, for the early maturity of some of the 

 species. Mostly mere weeds ; about 140 species spread over 

 Europe and the adjoining countries, and the Cape of Good Hope ; 

 about 14 species in this country, only 5 in this State, and 2 of 

 them rather rare. 



r 



S. aureus, W., and /S. obovatus, W. Ragwort. Grow in wet 

 places, 2-3 feet high, with yellow blossoms, rather showy. 

 The decoction of these is sometimes successfully used for llie 

 cure of the salt-rheum, by washing the eruption with it. 



S. vulgaris. L. Groundsel. Introduced from Europe ; 

 emollient and resolvent, and used in Europe as a remedy for 

 spitting of blood. Loudon. 



S. hieracifoUus. L. Fireweed. The well-known plant that 

 springs up where a clearing is made in the forest by burning up 

 logs and brush ; a large plant, with unsightly flowers, and large 

 succulent leaves. In travelling the Great Canal, in the State of 

 New York, you pass large neglected fields of half-cleared lands, 

 which are overrun by this weed. Cultivation eradicates it with 

 the greatest ease, although it appears to yield a multitude of seeds. 

 The plant has a nauseous odor. 



/S. baIsamit(B. W. A small plant with radical leaves, oblong, 

 serrate, petiolate, and the stem leaves lyrate or pinnatifid ; June, 

 in dry pastures ; Stoneham. Big. 



Helenium. L. 17. 2. 



An American genus of few species ; named from a species of 

 Inula, Elecampane, whose cosmetic properties the famous Helen 

 is fabled to have used. 



