90 



BRITISH FLOWERING PLANTS 



Very frequently the tubular flowers are in the 

 centre, and there is a ring or border of ligulate 

 flowers round, as in the daisy, etc. The calyx of 

 the separate flowers consists of a tube, often forming 

 a downy or feathery crown or pappus, on the 

 borders of the ovary. There are generally 5 

 stamens fixed in the tube of the corolla, and the 

 anthers are fused together into a tube round the 

 style. The fruit is dry. 



Most of the Composite?, are low-growing plants ; 

 while others, like the thistles, though growing to 

 the height of several feet, are annuals. Many 

 of the British species of this extensive Order are 

 among our commonest and most familiar plants. 

 Our space will only allow us to mention a few 

 representative species. 



Col t's-foot — Tussilago Farfara 



(Plate XLIX) 



This is a very abundant plant on waste ground, 

 preferring a damp clay soil, or chalk, or limestone; 

 it often grows freely on railway banks. It spreads 



very rapidly, and flowers in March and April. 

 The stem is whitish, woolly, and thickly set with 

 scaly bracts. The flower is golden-yellow. The 

 seeds are surmounted by a long, shining, silky 

 pappus. The leaves, which appear later than the 

 flowers, are heart-shaped, angular, and serrated. 

 They stand on moderately long stalks, and are 

 clothed with a whitish wool on both surfaces, 

 especially beneath. A decoction of this plant is 

 still used as a remedy for colds in country places. 



Ox-eye Daisy — Chrysanthemum 



LencantJiemum 



(Plate L) 



This handsome flower is common in meadows, 

 and is very similar to the favourite decorative 

 flowers popularly called " Marguerites," the French 

 name for a daisy. It flowers in May and June. 

 It has an upright, slightly branching stem. The 

 root-leaves are stalked, oval, and dentated on the 

 edges. Those surrounding the stem are longer, 

 narrower, and serrated. At the summit of the 



