MAYWEED 



by a fringe of narrow, slightly curving, spreading rays, 

 often fifty or more. The rays of the Sunflower heads 

 are broad and few in number. The rays of Elecampane 

 are many and narrow. The plant challenges attention 

 because of its tall, stout, leafy stalk. 



Most of our floral vagabonds came to us by chance, 

 but this one was invited. The plant long possessed a 

 reputation as a medicine for horses, an especial virtue 

 having been ascribed to its thick, mucilaginous roots, 

 and it was originally cultivated for medicinal use. Its 

 reputation has departed but the plant remains. It 

 is a coarse, unattractive, worthless weed, surviving in 

 damp, waste places because no one has had energy 

 enough to destroy it. The name Elecampane is 

 referred to Ala Campania because of its abundance 

 in that ancient province of southern Italy. 



MAYWEED. DOG FENNEL 



Anthemis cotula 



Anthemis, the ancient Greek name of Camomile. 



Annual. Naturalized from Europe. A branching, 

 strong-scented herb with acrid juices, with small Daisy- 

 like heads and finely dissected leaves; found in the dust 

 of the wheel-path, in barnyards, and waste places. United 

 States and Canada, also found in Europe, Asia, Africa, and 

 Australia. June-November. 



Stem.— One to two feet high, much branched, smooth, 

 leafy. 



Leaves.— Altemsite, finely cut, possessing a strong 

 odor. 



Flower-heads.— Rsidmte-composite, like small Daisies, 

 about an inch across. Ray-florets white, ten to fifteen. 

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