GOLDEN-ROD AND ASTERS. 



roughish above, downy beneath, the topmost ones 

 stem-clasping. Lower leaves without teeth, pointed, 

 heart-shaped, with long stems which flare out widely 

 at the base and clasp the stem of the plant. Stem 

 grayish, covered with finest hairs. Flower lavender- 

 purple, about an inch and an eighth in diameter. A 

 species also common in dry shady places by the road, 

 growing usually twenty inches high. 



7. Aster cordifolius. Heart-leaved aster. Blooms 

 early in September. Leaves on the lower part of the 

 stem heart-shaped and toothed ; those above nar- 

 rower and much less toothed. Both leaf and stem 

 of plant variable as to smoothness or rough-hairiness. 

 Flower extremely small, about three quarters of an 

 inch in diameter, lilac, and blue-lavender, crowded in 

 dense clusters like lilacs. A common species on 

 wooded banks, growing not over two feet high. A 

 variety frequently found on the roadsides of the 

 White Mountain region, bears nearly white flowers 

 about five eighths of an inch in diameter, narrow 

 leaves, and grows about eight inches high. 



8. Aster spectabilis. Showy aster. Blooms from 

 early September to November. Leaves oblong lance- 

 shaped, rough, mostly without teeth, only the lower 

 ones obscurely toothed. Stem roughish. Flower 

 showy, bright light violet, with about twenty rays 



nearly an inch long. Very few flowers on the stems. 

 17 



