Cynaua. LXXV. COMPOSITjE. 355 



C. TiNCTORiDs. Common Saffron. — St. smooth ; lis. ovate-lanceolate, sessile, 

 spinose-denticulate. — Native of Ei^ypt, but long cultivated in other lands on 

 account ol" its orancfc-colored llowers. Stem branching, striate, 1 — 21' high. 

 Leaves subauiplexicaul, smooth and shining. Heads largp, terminal, with nu- 

 merous long and slender llowers. The latter are useful in coloring, and dm a 

 nurscn/ medicine. July. 



" 65. XERANTIIEMUM. 



Gr. ^ripoi, dry, avSos] on account of its dry, imperishable flowers. 



Heads discoid ; involucre bemisphcrical, with radiant, colored, 

 opaque, scarious scales ; receptacle paleaceous ; pappus paleo-setace- 

 ous. — (D Native of S. Europe. 



X. ANNUUM. Willd. Eternal Flower. — 5"/. erect, branched ; Ivs. oblong-lan- 

 ceolate, obtiisish, alternate, entire; hds. large, terminal, solitary; scedcs of the 

 involurre obtuse, scarious, inner ones of the ray spreading, lanceolate, obtuse. — 

 A singularly beautilul plant, half hardy, of easy culture. Stem 2 — 3f high. 

 The radiant involucre scales are of a rich purple, but there are varieties with 

 red, white, blue and yellow rays. The splendid flowers retain their beauty 

 through the winter. 



GG. C NIC US. Vaill. 



Gr. KVi^oy, to prick; well applied to these heibs. 



Heads discoid ; involucre ventricose, imbricate with doubly spi- 

 nous scales ; ray-flowers sterile ; receptacle very hairy ; pappus in 3 

 series, the outer 10-toothed, the 2 inner each 10-bristled. — Oriental 

 herbs. 



C. BENEDiCTus, Blessed Thistle. — Lvs. somewhat decui'rent ; . dentate and 

 spiny ; inrol. doubly spinous, woolly, bracteate. — Native of Persia, Tauria 

 and Greece. About 2f high, with yellow flowers. Sparingly naturalized. 

 June. — It was formerly in great estimation in medicine, but is now considered 

 worthless. :|: 



G7. ONOPERDON. Vaill. 



Gr. ovoi, and nepSco, the application to the present noble genus is not obnous. 



Heads discoid, homogamous ; involucre ventricose, imbricate with 

 spreading, spinous scales ; receptacle deeply alveolate ; pappus copi- 

 ous, capillary, scabrous ; achenia 4-angled. — Large, branching herbs, 

 with decurrent leaves. 



0. ACANTHIUM. CottOll TMstlc. 



Invol. scales spreading, subulate; lvs. ovate-oblong, decurrent, sinuate, 

 spinous, woolly on both sides. — (^ This fine looking thistle occurs naturalized 

 in waste grounds, and is about 3f in height. The whole plant has a white, 

 cottony appearance. Stem winged by the decurrent leaves, which are unusually 

 large. Involucre round, cottony, spinous. Flowers purple. July, Aug. 



68. CYNARA. 



Gr. Kvwv, a dog ; the stifl", hard spines of the invol. resemble a dog's teeth. 



Heads discoid, homogamous ; involucre dilated, imbricate, scales 

 fleshy, emarginate, pointed ; receptacle setaceous ; pappus plumose ; 

 achenia not beaked. — Natives of the Old World. 



1. C. ScoLYMUs. Garden Artichoke. 



Lvs. subspinose, pinnate and undivided; invol. scales ovate. — % Native 

 of S. Europe, naturalized in gardens and cultivated grounds. A well known 

 garden esculent. The parts used are the receptacle, the lower part of the in- 

 volucre and the upper portion of the stalk. It is cultivated from suckers placed 

 in rows. 3 feet apart. Aug. Sept. ^ X 



2. C. CARDUNCULUs. Cardoon. — L/vs. spiny, all pinnatifid; invol. scales 

 ovate. — % Native of Canada. Flowers purple. This plant is blanched by 



