THE SUNFLOWER FAMILY 143 



Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum L.) is low in habit of growth; 

 stem hairy, leaves lance-shaped and united at the base around 

 the stem; flowers white. Common in moist, permanent grass 

 lands in eastern Canada. Said to be of medicinal value. 



White Snakeroot (Eupatorium urticaefolium Riechard) is 

 quite common in damp, woodland pastures in Ontario and 

 eastward. Characterized by its large clusters of showy white 

 flower heads and long-stalked opposite leaves. This plant is 

 distinctly poisonous and is believed to be injurious to stock. 



TRIBE ASTEREAE 



Gumweed or Gum Plant (Grindelia squarrosa (Pursh) Dunal.) 

 is a coarse biennial with golden-yellow flowers, the buds of 

 which, just before opening, have a large drop of liquid resin on 

 them. While it is seldom troublesome in crops, it frequently 

 grows along trails and is supposed to cause hay fever. 



The seed (Plate 75, fig. 74) has been found among wheat 

 screenings and in clover seeds and is sometimes mistaken for 

 the seed of Canada Thistle. It is, however, plumper, much 

 more flattened and more angular, roughly grooved lengthwise, 

 paler and duller in colour. 



The Sunflower is the golden flower of Peru, or the Flower of the Sunne. This goodly 

 and stately plant, wherewith everyone is now adayes familiar, being of many sorts both 

 higher and lower, riseth up at first like unto a Pompion with two leaves, and after two 

 it riseth up into a great stalke, bearing the leaves on it severall distances on all sides 

 thereof, one above another unto the very toppe, being sometimes, and in some places, 

 seven, eight, or ten foote high. . . . At the top of the stalke standeth one great, large and 

 broad, flower, bowing down the head unto the sunne, and breaking forth from a great 

 head, made of scaly greene leaves, like unto a great single Marigold, having a border of 

 manie long yellow leaves, set about a great round yellow thrumme as it were in the middle, 

 which are very like unto short heads of flowers, under every one there is a seede, larger 

 than any seede of the Thistles, yet somewhat like, and lesser, and rounder than any 

 Gourde seede, set in so close and curious a manner, that when the seede is taken out, 

 the head with the hollow places or eels thereof, seemeth very like unto a honey combe. 



Parkinson, 1629. 



