rELLOW 



Stems. The upper ones are narrow and set close to the stem. Its 

 flower-heads grow on the upper side of recurved branches, form- 

 ing usually a full, spreading cluster. 



S. lanceolata has lance-shaped or linear leaves, and flowers 

 which grow in flat-topped clusters, unlike other members of the 

 family; the information that this is a golden-rod often creates 

 surprise, as for some strange reason it seems to be confused with 

 the tansy. 



The sweet golden-rod, S. odorata, is recognized by its nar- 

 row, shining, dotted leaves, which when crushed yield a pleas- 

 ant, permeating fragrance. 



The seaside golden-rod, -S. sempervirens, is a showy, beautiful 

 plant of vigorous habit. Its large, orange-yellow flower-heads, 

 and thick, bright green leaves make brilliant the salt-marshes, 

 sand-hills, and rocky shores of the Atlantic coast every August. 



S. ccBsia, or the blue-stemmed, is a wood-species and among 

 the latest of the year, putting forth its bright clusters for nearly 

 the whole length of its stem long after many of its brethren look 

 like brown wraiths of their former selves. 



5. latifolia, usually has a simple, zigzag stem from one to three 

 feet high, close to which, in the axils of the leaves, the flower 

 heads are bunched in short clusters. Toward the top of the stem 

 these clusters may be prolonged into a narrow wand. Its leaves 

 are thin, broadly ovate, sharply toothed and pointed at both 

 ends. This plant loves somewhat moist, shaded localities. 



Theslender, wand-like silver-rod, 6". ^/V^A?r (Plate LXXXII.), 

 whose partly whitish flower-heads are a departure from the family 

 habit, also survives the early cold and holds its own in the dry 



woods. 



The only species native to Great Britain is S. Virga-aurea. 



The generic name is from two Greek words which signify to 

 make whole, and refer to the healing properties which have been 

 attributed to the genus. 



i88 



