Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 367 



ROBIN'S PLANTAIN (Erigeron pulchellus) is one 



of the earliest members of the composite family to 

 bloom. In fact it is often known as the "Blue Spring 

 Daisy," a name which is very appropriate for it, much 

 more so than the one it commonly bears. The very 

 fuzzy, light green, juicy stalk attains heights of from 

 10 to 24 inches. Must of the leaves are in a dense 

 rosette at the base of the stalk they are spatulate in 

 shape, indistinctly toothed and hairy throughout. 

 The few stem leaves are small, hairy and clasping at 

 their bases. From one to nine flowers, an inch, or 

 slightly more, broad are grouped at the top of the 

 stem. They are handsome blossoms, resembling ast- 

 ers, but the yellowish centers of tubular florets are 

 broader and flatter; the lilac or violet rays are very 

 numerous and are arranged quite evenly around the 

 central disc. 



Robin's Plantain is a perennial with creeping root- 

 stalks and will be found year after year in the same 

 localities. It is often communistic and found growing 

 in quite large colonies; it may also be met with sing- 

 ly. It is common everywhere, most abundant in 

 slightly moist soil, from Me. to Minn, and south- 

 wards, blooming in May and June. 



PURPLE CONE FLOWER (Brauneria purpurea) is 



a showy western species bearing a single, large flow- 

 er head with a conical center of purple disc florets 

 and surrounded by many, large, notched, magenta 

 rays. The stiff, hairy stem rises 2 to 3 feet high. 

 The leaves, also stiff -hairy, alternate along it; the 

 upper ones are toothless and seated on the stem, 

 while the lower ones are sharply toothed; they are 

 five-ribbed and deep green in color. Rich soil, IN. Y 

 to Mich, and southwards. 



