BLUE AND PURPLE WILD FLOWERS 



much the same as those of the Spiked Lobelia, and are 

 scattered along the stalk, forming loose, terminal 

 spikes. This species is easily distinguished by the 

 prominent inflated seed cases which succeed the flowers. 

 The Indian Tobacco is found in dry, open soils from 

 Georgia, Nebraska and Arkansas, and far into Canada. 



IRONWEED. FLAT TOP 



Vernonia noveboracensis. Thistle Family. 



The deep purple, Thistle-like flowers of the Ironweed 

 enliven our roadsides and low meadows with their 

 intense colouring from July to September. The 

 tall, branching stalk is smooth or rough, and grows 

 from three to nine feet in height. The narrowly oblong 

 or lance-shaped and pointed leaves are alternating 

 and finely toothed. From twenty to thirty bell-shaped 

 flowers are borne on short, branched stems, and form 

 broad, flat-topped clusters. The small bracts of the 

 leafy, brownish purple cup are tipped with spreading 

 bristles. The feathery flowers are often mistaken 

 for those of an Aster, but as they are composed entirely 

 of tubular ray florets and lack the central yellow disc 

 florets of the latter, they are easily distinguished. 

 The Ironweed ranges from New England to Georgia 

 and Mississippi, and west to Missouri and Minnesota. 



LARGE BUTTON SNAKEROOT. GAY FEATHER. 

 BLUE BLAZING STAR. 



Liatris squarrosa. Thistle Family. 



The showy, bluish purple flowering spikes of this 

 tall, beautiful perennial, blossom with the Golden-rods 



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