Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 3^1 



TALL CONE-FLOWER (Rudbeckia laciniata) is a 



tall, lanky member of this genus, with an entirely dif- 

 ferent temperament from that of the Blackeyed Su- 

 son. No hot, sandy or dusty fields for this, but the 

 cool depths of moist thickets. As usual with vegeta- 

 tion in moist, rich soil, its growth is luxuriant. The 

 smooth, branching stem ascends to heights of 3 to 10 

 feet and is leafy throughout. Ordinarily, the plant 

 does not grow more than five feet in height; those 

 that exceed this height might be termed giants of the 

 species. The lower leaves are very large, are on long 

 petioles and are cleft into five or seven divisions; the 

 lower and middle stem leaves are usually three-part- 

 ed while the upper ones, or at least, the ones nearest 

 the flowers are small and elliptical. 



Several large flower heads terminate the branches; 

 they measure from 2 to 4 inches across. The central 

 disc is, at first, hemispherical and green but finally 

 becomes elongated and brownish. The rays number 

 six to 12 and are bright yellow in color. This species 

 blooms from July until Sept. and is found from Me. to 

 Manitoba and southwards. 



Rudbeckia triloba is a hairy biennial with slender, 

 spreading branches, at the ends of which are num- 

 erous, comparatively small, but showy, flower heads. 

 The central disc is hemispherical, composed of 

 brownish-purple florets. The rays are golden-yellow, 

 brightest near the disc. The leaves are bright green, 

 thin, rough, the upper ones being lance-shaped and 

 the lower one three-lobed; all are rather coarsely 

 toothed. Common in rich soil from N. J. to Minn, 

 and southwards. 



