184 COMPOSITE. 



the base, with undulate margins, nearly glabrous above, woolly tomentose 

 beneath. Heads clustered at the summit of the paniculate-corymbose 

 branches, ovate-conical before expansion, then obovate ; corolla whitish or 

 yellowish. It flowers in August and September, the mature heads remain- 

 ing a long time on the stem. The whole plant is fragrant. 



Habitat. In. woods and old fields ; everywhere common. 



Parts Used. The flowers and tops not official. 



Constituents. A bitter principle and a little volatile oil. 



Preparations. Used in infusion. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Said to be tonic. Used in catarrhal af- 

 fections. 



Several other indigenous and exotic species possess similar properties. 



ERECHTHITES. FIRE- WEED. 



Erechthites hieracifolia Kafinesque. Fire-Weed. 



Description. Heads many-flowered ; flowers all tubular and fertile, the 

 outer pistillate, slender, the inner perfect. Scales of the cylindrical invo- 

 lucre in a single series, linear, acute, with a few bracteoles at the base. 

 Receptacle naked. Achenia oblong, striate, tapering to the apex. Pappus 

 copious, of fine capillary bristles. 



An erect, coarse, and often hairy annual, 1 to 5 feet high. Leaves alter- 

 nate, lanceolate-oblong, acute, unequally and sharply cut-toothed, sessile ; 

 the upper often auricled at the base. Heads corymbose ; flowers whitish, 

 appearing from July to September. 



Habitat. Common in recent clearings, often covering ground which 

 has been burned over almost to the exclusion of other plants. 



Part Used. The flowering tops not official. 



Constituents. Fire-weed has a peculiar aromatic and somewhat dis- 

 agreeable odor, and a pungent, bitterish taste. It yields a volatile oil of 

 similar odor and taste, upon which its medicinal virtues are believed to 

 depend. 



Preparations. Volatile oil and infusion. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Fire-weed is said to be tonic, astringent, 

 and alterative, and to exert a special influence upon the mucous surfaces. 

 It has been highly praised as a remedy for dysentery. 



SENECIO. GROUNDSEL 



Senecio aureus Linne. Golden Ragwwt, Squaw-Weed. 



Description. Heads many-flowered, radiate ; rays 8 to 12, pistillate, 

 golden yellow ; disk-flowers perfect. Scales of the involucre in a single 

 series, with a few bracteoles at the base. Receptacle flat, naked. Achenia 

 glabrous. Pappus of numerous soft and slender capillary bristles. 



