YELLOW 



A common and noticeable species which flowers early in 

 August is S. Canadensis, with a tall stout stem from three to 

 six feet high, lance-shaped leaves, which are usually sharply 

 toothed and pointed, and small flower-heads clustered along the 

 branches which spread from the upper part of the stem. 



Another early flowering species is S. rugosa. This is a lower 

 plant than S. Canadensis, with broader leaves. Still another is 

 the dusty golden -rod, S. nemoralis, which has a hoary aspect 

 and very bright yellow flowers which are common in dry fields. 



S. lanceolata has lance-shaped or linear leaves, and flowers 

 which grow in flat-topped clusters, unlike other members of the 

 family ; the information that this is a golden-rod often creates 

 surprise, as for some strange reason it seems to be confused with 

 the tansy. 



The sweet golden-rod, S. odorata, is easily recognized by 

 its fragrant, shining, dotted leaves. S. ccesia, or the blue- 

 stemmed, is a wood-species and among the latest of the year, 

 putting forth its bright clusters for nearly the whole length of 

 its stem long after many of its brethren look like brown wraiths 

 of their former selves. The silver rod, S. bicolor, whose whit- 

 ish flowers are a departure from the family habit, also survives 

 the early cold and holds its own in the dry woods. 



The only species native to Great Britain is S. Virga-aurea. 



The generic name is from two Greek words which signify to 

 make whole, and refer to the healing properties which have been 

 attributed to the genus. 



ELECAMPANE. 



Inula Helenium. Composite Family (p. 13). 



Stem. Stout, three to five feet high. Leaves. Alternate, large, woolly 

 leath, the upper partly clasping 

 posed of both ray and disk-flowers. 



O * O ' J 



beneath, the upper partly clasping. Flower-heads. Yellow, large, corn- 

 id disk-f 



When we see these great yellow disks peeping over the past- 

 ure walls or flanking the country lanes, we feel that midsummer 

 is at its height. Flowers are often subservient courtiers, and 

 make acknowledgment of whatever debt they owe by that 

 subtlest of flatteries imitation. Did not the blossoms of the 



162 



