DRY FIELDS— WASTE PLACES— WAYSIDES 191 



32 



Z. scariosa differs but little from the last, with stiff, narrow, 

 pointed leaves, the lower petioled ; purple flowers in round 

 heads, around which the bristling scales of the involucre are 

 very prominent, their tips sometimes purple like the flowers. 

 Height 2 to 5 feet, with same range as the last. 



Among our wayside plants are many members of the Coiii- 

 positae. Some are richly colored, pretty; others are coarse and 

 rough. Many are imported, and, like the English sparrow among 

 birds, compare unfavorably with our native species. All have a 

 name and a place. 



33. Golden-rod 



Solidago nemoralis is a common species, covering barren 

 fields. It varies from 6 inches to 2 feet high. Its stem is 

 simple, capped with a heavy, one-sided compound panicle of 

 deep-yellow flowers. The whole plant is grayish and roughish. 

 Leaves tapering and narrow. 



34 



S. Canadensis is a common species. It is coarse and rather 

 tall, limit 6 feet, with spreading, often recurving, one-sided 

 racemes o-f flowers. Sometimes very rough and harsh, some- 

 times smooth. Toothed leaves, pointed, lance-shaped, rough 

 above, softer beneath. 



35 



S. jUncea may be known by the fringed petioles of its lowest 

 sharply toothed leaves. The upper leaves are narrow and 

 entire. Stem i to 2 feet high. The flowers have small rays, 

 and are arranged in drooping, corymb-like panicles. A com- 

 mon form, as is also 



36 



•S. serbtina, which has a thick, tall stem, 7 feet or less. The 



