186 



FIELD AND WOODLAND PLANTS 



rheumatism. It has a short, woody rootstock; and erect, branching 

 stems varying from two to four feet in height. The leaves are 

 deeply cut into narrow, acute segments wliich are either coarsely 

 serrate or lobed. They arc green and smooth above, but very white 

 with a woolly down below. The flower-heads are very numerous 



The tans v. 



erect, and arranged in a somewhat crowded, long, terminal panicle. 

 Each head is surrounded by a woolly involucre, and consists of 

 from fifteen to over twenty florets, either all perfect or including 

 a few without stamens. They are oval in form, and of a reddish 

 or yellowish-brown colour. Tlie plant blooms throughout the 

 summer. 



In the same genus is the Al)sinth or Wormwood {A. Absinthium), 

 which is not so tall or so slender as the last species, from which it 



