COMPOSITvE 



633 



Basal k-avcs l)n)a(l, spal 

 Leaves deeplv ml 01 



ulalo, oval t.) roun-lish, always rounded at the tip. 

 1 ..11 liie cd^rs, L. idtiv'i var. itilyhacca (culling or cut - 

 leaved lelUm). 

 Leaves entire or but slightly toothed. , • , , , > 



Leaves forming a rather compacl roundish or llalt.sh head; leaves ncvu 

 d c cle Iv SI IT and Hat, L. saii.a var. capU.ia (hea.l or cabbage ellucc) 

 Leavel forming a conical or cylin.lrical-shaped head; leaves slra.ght and 

 slilT L. Siit'mi var. romana (,cos lelluce). 



Fi(.. 260. 



pappus 



-SinKlc llowcr of salsify (Tragopogon p..rrif.jUus). X -M.. 



'I'racy classifies the American varieties of lettuce as tol- 

 lows: (r) butter varieties, (2) crisp varieties, and (.^) os 

 varieties. These three groups are further subdivided. 

 TRAGOPOGON PORRIFOLIUS (Salsify or "Oyster Plant") 



Description.-Salsify is a hardy perennial plant hnu^ a 

 tleshy r.).)t. The rools are about 12 inches Ion- wilh a 

 (liam'eler of about 2 inches at the top; the skin is grayish 

 white The sloLs are usually somewhat branched and succu- 

 lent Wiien grown from seed, a seed stalk is sent up the 

 second season to a height of 2 to 4 feet. The lonrs are alter- 

 nate, entire, Hnear-lanceolate, clasping at the base, and glau- 

 cous. Heads (Fig. 259) are single at the end of rather long 

 thickened peduncles, which are often holhnv for several 



