COMPOSITE. 141 



It embraces nearly 140 species, most of which are natives of 

 Europe, and the countries adjacent on the south and southeast ; 

 77 have been cultivated in England or found native. 



C. nigra. L. Black Knapweed. A coarse and trouble- 

 some weed in the pastures and meadows of England, and intro- 

 duced and naturalized in a few places ; Medford and Charlestown ; 

 July and August. Stem 2 feet high, branching and angular, with 

 lyrate leaves below, entire leaves above, having purple solitary 

 flowers. 



C cyancus. L. Blue Bottle. A common ornamental flower 

 in gardens, with funnel-form ray-flowers, blue, and whitish-blue ; 

 a common weed over Europe, and also used as a border-plant. 

 Loudon. Partially naturalized. 



C. benedicta. L. Blessed Thistle. Named for its supposed 

 medicinal properties. It is common in gardens for ornament. 

 A native of Spain. 



IvA. L. 17. 4. 



A North American genus of 5 species, found chiefly at the 

 South ; said to be named because the odor resembles that of the 

 ancient Iva. Loudon. 



L frutescens. L. Marsh Elder. Highwater Shrub. Grows 

 about salt marshes, fleshy, and rather shrubby, with nearly axillary 

 branches ; leaves roughish, serrate, ovate-lanceolate, 3-nerved ; 

 flowers small, green, drooping, in racemes. 



Calendula. L. 17. 4. Marygold. 



Named from the Latin for the beginning of a month, because it 

 blossoms every month ; about 30 species, belonging to Europe and 

 the adjacent countries, and the Cape of Good Hope. 



C. officinalis. L. Pot Marygold. A native of the South of 

 Europe, and cultivated from time immemorial ; used formerly in 

 soups to give color and flavor, and for its supposed many vir- 



