DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 359 



seven-lobed ; lateral ones three-lobed. Varieties of this 

 are found in collections as S. palmata and S. venusta ; 

 they are more robust plants, and diifer somewhat in the 

 foliage and the depth of color of the flowers. 



S. Japonic a • — Japan Spirgea. — The foliage of this spe- 

 cies is a rich deep-green, decompound. Flowers pure 

 white in panicled. spikes ; one and one-half foot high ; in 

 June and July. This is one of the most delicate and ele- 

 g:int of all the Spiraeas ; and, like all the rest, very hardy. 

 These spikes of white flowers, Avith the foliage, are fine 

 for choice bouquets. 



S. Aruncus. — Goat's Beard. — This is a tall-growing 

 species, three or four feet high, with large compound 

 leaves, and panicled spikes of yellowish-white flowers ; in 

 June and July. This is more suitable for the shrubbery 

 than for the border. 



SYMPHYTUM.-CoMFRET. 



[Named from the Greek, signifying to grow together, tiie plant having formerly- 

 been used as a vulnerary.] 



Symphytum officinale. — Common Comfrey.— A rather 

 coarse, rough, hairy plant, with showy flowers in nodding 

 racemes. The color of the flower is white, blue, pink or 

 red in the diflerent varieties. The plant is very mucilagi- 

 nous, and on that account sometimes used medicinally. 



TAGETES.— Marigold. 



[Named after Tages, a Tuscan divinity.] 



Tag^tes patula.— French Marigold. — This is one of the 

 old-fashioned tender annuals, deservedly popular from the 

 brilliancy and variegation of its flowers, and its easy cul- 

 tivation. Some of the improved varieties are exceedingly 



