178 



FIELD AND WOODLAND PLANTS 



pappus of feathery hairs. This species flowers from June to 

 September. It is shown on Plate III. 



In the same genus we have the Hawk weed Picris (P. hieracoides) 

 which bears yellow flowers from June to September. Its stem, 

 more slender than that of the last species, is from two to tliree feet 



high, branched towards 

 the top, and rough with 

 hooked bristles ; and 

 the leaves are lanceo- 

 late and toothed. 

 There are numerous 

 heads of flowers, about 

 an inch in diameter, 

 usually arranged in a 

 corymb, but some- 

 times in an umbel, and 

 there are bracts on the 

 peduncles. 



The Strong-scented 

 or Acrid Lettuce {Lac- 

 tiica virosa) is moder- 

 ately common on dry 

 wastes. It is an acrid, 

 glaucous, leafy and 

 prickly plant, with a 

 milky juice. Its erect 

 stem grows to a height 

 of three or four feet. 

 Its leaves are spread- 

 ing, obovate in form, 

 with toothed margins, 

 and bristly hairs on the 

 under side of the 

 midrib. The lower leaves are frequently marked with dark spots, 

 and the upper ones have pointed auricles which clasp the stem. 

 The heads of flowers are small, pale yellow, and arranged in a loose, 

 spreading panicle. The bracts overlap, the outer ones being shorter, 

 and the receptacle is flat. Each head contains only a few florets. 

 The fruit is flattened, black, with a beak as long as itself and a 

 pappus of many simple hairs. The flowers appear during July 

 and August. 



The Hawkweed Picrts. 



