DEVIL'S PAINT BRUSH 



Peduncles glandular-hairy. Pappus not abundant. Hairs 

 of involucre dark. 



These flaming plants in the midst of a meadow 

 give splendid color, but if one knows the real con- 

 ditions the name of Devil's Paint Brush is quite under- 

 standable, for it expresses clearly 

 and forcibly the farmer's point 

 of view. This is a plant that 

 may be admired for its beauty 

 and should then be executed for 

 its crimes. 



The individual is a stem aris- 

 ing from a cluster of hairy leaves. 

 These clusters grow so near to- 

 gether that they form a closely 

 felted carpet that no other plant 

 can penetrate and the grass is 

 choked out; in a short time this 

 plant will utterly destroy a 

 meadow. 



It ripens many seeds and sends 

 them forth on the wings of the 

 wind, but its main reliance is upon its runners and 

 stolons by which it gathers in surrounding territory. 



It seems an especially ugly weed in England, and 

 is there known as Grim, the Collier, referring to the 

 grimy appearance of the stalk, whose green is obscured 

 by many dull, brownish hairs. The beauty of the 

 plant is its flower-head; yellow centered, orange-red, 

 abundant, lurid, flaming, it dominates its surroundings. 



There are other Hawkweeds, scarcely a roadside 

 tangle is without a few of their small, yellow heads. 



Devil's Paint Brush. 

 Eierdcium aurantidcum 



241 



