WILD FLOWERS WHITE AND GREENISH 



vary greatly in size and shape. The long-stemmed 

 lower ones are large and broad, and are deeply cut and 

 slashed. As they ascend the stalk, they graduate 

 through several forms into small, lance-shaped leaves 

 at the top, with entire margins. The numerous, 

 fragrant, nodding, bell-shaped flower heads are greenish 

 or yellowish white and often tinged with lilac. They 

 are borne in loose, open, narrow, terminal clusters 

 on slender stems that usually spring from the axils of 

 the leaves. They are formed of from eight to fifteen 

 drooping ray flowers, surrounded with eight principal, 

 coloured bracts with several minute outer ones at their 

 base. The cream-coloured stamens protrude with two 

 spiral tips beyond the prettily curved corolla. The 

 flowers are succeeded by a tuft of silky, cinnamon 

 brown fluff. In certain parts of Virginia and North 

 Carolina where this perennial herb grows, much faith 

 is attached to it as a remedy for rattlesnake bites. 

 The milky juice is taken freely internally, and the 

 leaves are steeped in water which is locally applied and 

 frequently changed. It is also used for summer 

 complaint. 



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