WILD FLOWERS BLUE AND PURPLE 



which grows two or three feet high from a long root- 

 stock. The basal leaves are very large. They are 

 broadly heart-shaped, taper to a sharp point, and have 

 toothed margins. They have long, slender, grooved 

 and often sticky stems. These very noticeable leaves 

 are set three or four together near the ground, and com- 

 monly form large mats or patches a means by 

 which they may be usually identified. The upper 

 leaves become suddenly smaller and oblong in shape, 

 with short, broadly winged stems, the topmost ones 

 finally occurring almost stemless. The attractive flower 

 heads are loosely arranged in broad, terminal clusters, 

 and they are nearly an inch across. They have from 

 twelve to sixteen rays of various shades of lilac, laven- 

 der or violet, and their yellow disc florets turn reddish 

 brown as they fade. This sweetly scented Aster is 

 common in well-drained soils in open woods and 

 thickets, from Canada to Minnesota, and North 

 Carolina during August and September. 



LOW SHOWY ASTER. SEASIDE PURPLE ASTER 



Aster spcctabilis. Thistle Family. 



A very pretty member of the family, found in dry, 

 sandy soil, along the coast, from Massachusetts to 

 Delaware, during August, September and October. 

 The stiff, coarse stem grows only one or two feet high, 

 and branches slightly at the top to accommodate the 

 flowers. The leaves are thick- textured, and mostly 

 toothless. The lower ones, which have stems, are oval 

 and taper acutely toward either end. The upper ones 



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