PURPLE EUPATORIUM 



Flower-heads.— Discoid-composite, of tubular florets 

 only; borne in large, loose, compound clusters, both 

 terminal and axillary. Involucre of two or three series 

 of magenta-pink bracts. Florets tubular, slender, dull 

 magenta-pink. Stamen tube darker pink; protruding 

 styles also pink. Pappus abundant, brownish/ 



Pollinated by butterflies chiefly. Nectar-bearing. 

 Stamens mature before the stigma. 



Towering above the surrounding vegetation of low- 

 lying meadows and pastures, forming in swampy 

 places large colonies, following the shore of pond or 

 slow-moving stream, this sturdy and vigorous plant 

 spreads to the midsummer sun clusters of soft bloom 

 that glow pink in the sunshine, but dull in the shadow, 

 yet because of their size and number are ever conspicu- 

 ous. The flower clusters are dome-shaped or elongated, 

 both terminal and axillary. The soft, fringy fluff 

 of the cluster is due to the protruding style branches, 

 of the same color as the floret. The flower color is 

 sui generis, once seen it is ever after recognized, but 

 its correct naming is difficult. It dominates every 

 part of the flower: involucre, corolla, stamens, and 

 styles. The tall central stem bears its long pointed 

 leaves usually in whorls of four, branches toward the 

 summit, and is often stained with purple. In swampy 

 lands where the plant can develop freely, the root 

 sends up a group of three to six of these strong stems. 

 Associated with this upstanding, sturdy creature are 

 others, growing in the lowlands, blooming about the 

 same time and comparing favorably with it in size 

 and dignity, the Sunflower, the Great Rudbeckia, and 

 the Iron- Weed, each the embodiment of strength and 

 of vigor. 



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