WASTES AND WAYSIDES IN SUMMER 



185 



The iiower-heads are small, arranged in loose terminal clusters, 



and are surrounded by numerous, closely-placed bracts with small, 



sharp points. The flowers are always imiDcrfect, and the male and 



female blooms always occm- on separate plants. The heads of 



the male plants are globular in form, w ith spreading purple florets ; 



while those of "the 



female plant are 



longer and almost 



cylindrical in 



form, with longer 



bracts and shorter 



florets. The pap- 



pus consists 



of numerous 



feathery hairs 



which grow very 



long as the fruit 



ripens. This 



species flowers 



during July and 



August. 



The Tansy 

 {Tanacetum mil- 

 gare) is common 

 in the hedgerows 

 of most localities, 

 and is easily re- 

 cognised by the 

 powerful odour 

 and bitter taste of 

 its leaves and 

 flowers. It has a 



creeping root ; an erect, strong stem, which is either quite smooth 

 or (generally) slightly downy ; and large, pinnate leaves, mth narrow, 

 deeply-toothed or pinnatifid segments. There are a large number of 

 flower-heads, nearly haK an inch in diameter, of a bright yellow 

 colour, and arranged in large flat-topped corymbs. This plant is 

 common in most parts of Britain, grows to a height of about three 

 feet, and flowers during August and September. 



The Mug wort {Artemisia vulgaris) is a very common roadside 

 plant in most districts, valued by many villagers as a remedy for 



THE CREEPiKG Thistle. 



