YELLOW AND ORANGE WILD FLOWERS 



phere. Of this number about forty are found in 

 North America. 



TALL, OR GIANT SUNFLOWER 



Helianthus giganteus. Thistle Family. 



A tall perennial species, with a rough, hairy, purple- 

 stained stalk rising from three to twelve feet high from 

 fleshy, creeping, edible roots, and are either single or 

 branching at the top. The firm-textured, taper-pointed, 

 lance-shaped leaves are very rough above, and rough 

 hairy beneath. They are narrowed at the base, and are 

 set on short stems or clasp the stalk. The margins are 

 finely toothed or entire. Many or all of the upper leaves 

 are alternate, but sometimes they all are paired. Usually 

 several flower heads are borne on long, terminal stems, 

 and are often two and a half inches broad. The yel- 

 lowish disc florets are surrounded with from ten to 

 twenty pale yellow rays, and are held together in a deep 

 green, half round cup. This Sunflower is found in low 

 thickets, swamps, and wet meadows from August to 

 October, from Maine and Ontario to the Northwest Ter- 

 ritory, and south to Florida, Nebraska and Louisiana. 

 A more northern variety of this species develops 

 tuberous roots, and because they are used as food 

 by the Indians, they are known as Indian potatoes. 



JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. EARTH APPLE. 

 CANADA POTATO 



Helianthus tuberosus. Thistle Family. 



Long before Columbus set foot on our shores, the 

 native Indians cultivated this species for its thick, 



186 



