203 
COMPOSITE. (COMPOSITE FAMILY.) 
light blue._Var. ljetiflorus has very slender branches and leaves, 
and the scales of the involucre unequal and more appressed. — Moist 
shady places, Ohio to Wisconsin and northward. Heads about as 
large as in A. puniceus, in some forms appearing more like A. car- 
neus. Leaves 4' — 7 l long, % to ^ wide. 
24. A. Novi-Kelgii, L. (Pale Willow-leaved Aster.) 
Nearly smooth ; stem stout; leaves oblong-lanceolate , pale, or somewhat 
glaucous , serrate in the middle, acute, tapering to each end ; scales of 
the involucre rather closely imbricated in about 3 series, with broadish 
acute herbaceous tips; rays pale blue or purplish. — Low grounds, not 
well known in a wild state. Heads smaller and much less showy 
than in the next. 
25. A. longifoliUS, Lam. (Willow-leaved Blue Aster.) 
Smooth or nearly so; stem branched, corymbose-panicled at the sum¬ 
mit ; leaves lanceolate or linear, or the lower ovate-lanceolate, entire 
or sparingly serrate in the middle, taper-pointed, shining above; scales 
of the involucre imbricated in 3-5 roics, linear, with acute or awl- 
shaped spreading or recurved green tips; rays large and numerous, 
bright purplish-blue. — Moist places, along streams, Maine to Penn., 
near the coast, common. — Plant 1° — 5° high, with large an s lowy 
heads; very variable in the foliage, involucre, &c.; its multiform 
varieties including A. laxus, mid. (a form with more leafy involu- 
cres), A. prae&ltus, Poir and A. elodes, Torr. Gr. 
26. A. puniceus, L. (Rough-stemmed Aster.) Stem tall 
and stout , rough-hairy all over or in lines, panicled above ; leaves ob¬ 
long-lanceolate , clasping by an auricled base , sparingly serrate in the 
middle with appressed teeth , rough above , nearly smooth underneath, 
pointed ; scales of the involucre narrowly linear , acute, loose , equal , in 
about 2 rows; rays long and showy (lilac-blue, paler in shade). 
Low thickets and swamps, common. — Stem 3?-6° high, in open 
grounds usually purple, and very rough with rigid bristly hairs. 
27. A. prenantlioides, Muhl. (Toothed-leaved Aster ) 
Stem low , corymbose-panicled, hairy above in lines; leaves roug 
above , very smooth underneath , ovate-lanceolate , sharply cut-toot e in 
the middle , conspicuously taper-pointed , and tapering be ow in a » 
contracted entire portion, which is abruptly dilated rnto 
heart-shaped clasping base; scales of the involucre narrowly linear, 
with recurved-spreading tips; rays light blue^-Mo.st copses. W 
New York and Penn, to Ohio.-Stem V>-9> high, usually much 
lower than the preceding, to which it is allied, though very distinct. 
28. A. ametHystinns, Nutt. (Ametiivstisx Asrea.) Gray- 
ish-hoary; stem racemose-panicled, leafy; leaves meat ’ 
entire, rough, acute, partly clasping by an auricle ase, seat es ^ 
involucre nearly equal, linear, acute, imbricated, wit sprea n 0 
