HOARY RAGWORT 



205 



in a state of protection, and are not so liable to be browsed as in 

 fields, where they likewise grow. 



This is a taller plant than Groundsel, and the stem is rigid, simple 

 or branched, purple, and woolly. The stem is both angular and fur- 

 rowed. The leaves are alternate, much divided, with linear segments, 



o 



half-clasping, with stiff hairs below, or white, the lower leaves stalked, 

 turned back. 



The flowers are rayed, in corymbose heads. The leaf-like organs 

 are membranous at the mar- 

 gin with hairy tips, the outer 

 half as long as the inner. 

 The fruit is silky with hairs 

 that do not fall out. The 

 hoary character by which it 

 is partly distinguished is most 

 marked when the plants are 

 young, and in wooded and 

 hilly stations, a feature which 

 in moist soil is lost, as also 

 when it is cultivated. 



This plant is about 2 ft. 

 in height as a general rule. 

 The flowers are in bloom in 

 July and August. The plants 

 are propagated by division, 

 being perennial. 



The ray florets are large 

 and give the plant a con- 

 spicuous appearance. Other- 

 wise the arrangements are 

 as in Senecio vulgaris, 

 though the heads are much 

 larger, and the plant is more likely to be visited by insects. 



The fruits are provided with pappus, and adapted for wind 

 dispersal. 



This Composite is mainly a sand-preferring species addicted to 

 a sandy soil, but may also be found on clay soil. 



The fungi Bremia lactucce and Colesporium senecionis are found 

 upon the leaves. The Lepidoptera, the Feathered Ranunculus (Ep- 

 unda lichenea], Cinnabar (Euchelia jacobece\ Argyrolepia rugosana, 

 Calosetia nigromac^llana, and a fly, Spilographa zoe, feed on it. 



Photo. W. E. Maye 



HOARY RAGWORT (Senecio erucifolius, L.) 



