186 KEY AND FLORA 



the apex, generally contracted under the flowers. Receptacle 

 very bristly. Akenes compressed, with pappus of numerous 

 chaffy bristles that fall separately. The outer flowers are 

 often funnel-shaped, with broad conspicuous divisions simu- 

 lating a ray flower. All the species are introduced weeds 

 from Europe. 



a. C. Meliten'sis L. TOCALOTE. Annual, with spreading branches. 

 Radical leaves pinnatifid, with rather broad lobes, the stem leaves 

 barely toothed, decurrent. Corollas yellow, inconspicuous. Scales of 

 the involucre spine-tipped, and with a few prickles at the base. 

 Common in fields and waste places. 



b. C. solstitia'lis L. Annual, much branched. Stem leaves 

 linear. Flowers conspicuous yellow. Outer bracts of the involucre 

 with 3-5 small prickles, palmately spreading ; middle bracts with a 

 stout spine besides. This is less common than the preceding. 



