COMPOSITE FAMILY 249 



It is called an Artichoke from the similarity of flavour in its tubers 

 to the Globe Artichoke {Cynara Scolymus), a Thistle in which 

 the bases of the involucral bracts form the edible portion. The 

 name "Jerusalem" is said to be a corruption of the Italian 

 girasole, the Sunflower, and by an amusing transition, soup made 

 from these Artichokes is called " Palestine Soup." The flower- 

 heads of Safflower {Cdrthamus tinctdria), which give a red colour, 

 are the most valuable dye produced by the Order. 



Among the LiguliflorcB, the Common Dandelion (Taraxacum 

 officinale) supplies a valuable medicinal extract ; its blanched leaves 

 are a wholesome salad ; and its roots are used to adulterate coffee. 

 The Lettuce (Lactuca saliva), besides its extensive use as salad, 

 yields from the milky juice of its root an extract wdth narcotic 

 properties resembling those of opium. The blanched leaves of 

 Endive {Cichorium Endiyia) afford a winter salad, and the allied 

 Chicory or Succory {C. Inlybus) is also so used, though it is more 

 cultivated for the sake of its roots, which are roasted and mixed 

 with coffee. Salsafy (Tragopogon porrijolius) and Scorzonera 

 {Scorzonera hispdnica) are also cultivated for the sake of their 

 edible roots. 



Sub-Order I. — TubulifldrecB. — Florels all tubular, or only the 

 ray-florets ligulate : juice watery 



Tribe i . EupatoriecB. — Leaves fuostly opposite : florets all tubular 

 ajid perfect : aitthers not tailed 



1. EuPATORiUM. — //"m^j few-flowered ; bracts imbricate, oblong ; 

 receptacle naked ; styles much longer than the florets. 



Tribe 2. Aster oidece. — Leaves scattered: ray-florets ligulate, car- 

 peltate or neuter, or absent : disk-florets tubular, perfect 



2. SoLiDAGO. — Florets all yellow ; receptacle naked, pitted ; 

 pappus of one row^ of stiff hairs. 



3. Bellis. — Ray-florets white or pink ; receptacle naked, conical ; 

 no pappus. 



4. Aster. — Ray-florets in one row, purple, or absent ; receptacle 

 naked, pitted ; pappus of many rows of stiff hairs. 



5. Erigeron. — Ray-florets in two or more rows ; receptacle 

 naked ; pappus of many rows of stiff hairs. 



6. LiNOSYRis. — Ray-florets absent ; receptacle naked, pitted ; 

 bracts imbricate ; fruit compressed, silky ; pappus of two rows of 

 stiff hairs. 



