136 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



ble for its large and double flowers of many colors ; by cultivation 

 greatly improved in the last fifteen years. 



Several of our native species, are now found a valuable addition 

 in gardens ; their flowers will probably increase in size and 

 beauty. 



In England, more than 100 species are native or cultivated ; 

 and 75 species from North America have been introduced and 

 propagated, in the zeal of the florists and botanists to be familiar 

 with living plants. The native plants pass in England under 

 the name of Christmas daisies, on account of the lateness of their 

 blossoms, and are not esteemed very ornamental. Loudon. 



SoLiDAGO. L. 17. 2. Golden Rod. 



From its healing power over wounds, its name is taken from a 

 Latin word, to unite. The genus has about 50 species, nearly 

 four fifths of which belong to North America. All have yellow 

 flowers except one, but are of very little beauty. They give 

 variety to autumnal vegetation, but are coarse plants, and do not 

 well bear inspection in detail. Twenty species are ascribed to 

 this State. A part bear erect flowers, and another part have 

 their flowers in one-sided panicles. Forty-three species from 

 North America are cultivated in England. 



S. odora. Ait. Sweet-scented Golden Rod. Stem 2-3 

 feet high, pubescent above, with long and narrow leaves, sessile ; 

 flowers numerous on many branches. An aromatic oil gives to 

 the plant a pleasant odor ; this is sometimes distilled from it. I 

 have not noticed this species in the western part of this State. 

 Medicinal ; Bigelow's " Medical Botany." 



S. altissima. L. A tall, large, erect, stiff, hairy plant, cover- 

 ed with long, sessile leaves, and with a large, branching top of 

 one-sided yellow flowers ; August ; hedges and fields. 



/S. Canadensis. L. Has a downy stem and lanceolate leaves, 

 broader than the last, and rough, with a large, branched top of 

 one-sided flowers ; stem 2-5 feet high ; August. 



