OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 121 



Harpalium Rigidum. 



Syn. HELIANTHTJS RIGIDTJS RIGID SUNFLOWER; 

 Nat. Ord. COMPOSITE. 



ONE of the most effective and beautiful flowers to be seen 

 in autumn ; it would be hard to mention another at any period 

 of the year that gives more satisfaction and pleasure than 

 this does, either as a decorative plant or a cut flower. A bold 

 specimen, 4ft. through, is truly fine, and not only those who 

 seldom visit a garden, but amateurs well versed in flowers, are 

 alike charmed with its rich and stately blossoms. Most people 

 know what a Sunflower is ; many of them are coarse and almost 

 ugly ; but though the present subject is of the family, it is 

 supremely distinct; it is without the formal character in its 

 ray, and also the herby leafiness of many of its genus, its large, 

 clean, shining, golden flowers, mounted on slender, ruddy, long, 

 and nearly nude stalks, not only render it distinct, but impart 

 an elegance to this species, which is all its own. It grows 4ft. 

 high, is a comparatively new kind in English gardens, and 

 comes from North America ; still, it has become widely known 

 and appreciated, in fact a universal favourite, so much so that, 

 although it increases fast, the demand for it is not yet satisfied ; 

 it is, doubtless, a flower for every garden. 



The flowers are 4in. across, glistening golden yellow, and 

 formed of a deep ray and small disk ; the florets of the ray are 

 l|in. long and more than in. broad, they are incurved at their 

 points, but reflexed at their edges, and are handsomely ribbed 

 or pleated; they are arranged in two or three rays in each 

 flower, and irregularly disposed ; the florets, being well apart, 

 not only seem to give the bloom body, but also an artistic 

 informality and lightness. The florets of the disk are chocolate 

 colour, whence issue twirled filamentary forms, which impart to 

 the centre of flower the appearance of being netted with a 

 golden thread. The scaly involucre is formed of numerous 

 small members of a dark olive-green colour, neatly arranged 

 and firmly clasping the whole flower. The pedicels are long, 

 round, covered with short stiff hairs, and thickened at the invo- 

 lucre; the stems are very rough, rigid, hard, and brown or 

 ruddy on the sunny side, sometimes twisted and nude, with the 

 exception of a solitary rudimentary leaf. The main stems have 

 many axillary branches. The leaves of the root are few, Sin. or 

 Gin. long, and oval. Those of the stems more lance-shaped, 

 sessile, and slightly dentate, or toothed, lessening in size as 

 they get higher ; all the leaves are very thick, three-veined, and 

 remarkably hispid, being almost as coarse as sandpaper to the 

 touch. I have also observed another peculiarity about the 

 leaves, when they have been taken from the plant for an hour 

 or more, i.e., they have a most elastic property. Very often the 



