COMPOSITAE (COMPOSITE FAMILY) 433 



stems that have given it the name of Steelweed dull or break the 

 mowing knives and "cut the grade" of hay that is intended for 

 market. 



Stem one to three feet high, smooth or nearly so, diffusely 

 branched, spreading and bushy. Leaves rather thick and rigid, 

 the lower ones spatulate, one to three inches long, tapering to a 

 slightly margined petiole, sometimes sparingly toothed ; the upper 

 ones narrow lance-shaped, sessile, entire, becoming linear and awl- 

 like as they near the summit. Heads very 

 numerous, racemose along the upper side of 

 the spreading branches ; they are hardly a 

 half-inch broad, with fifteen to twenty-five 

 white or pinkish rays ; bracts of the in- 

 volucre rather thick and awl-like, green- 

 tipped. The blossoms secrete nectar of a 

 fine, limpid quality, and the plant is a 

 favorite with bee-keepers. Achenes small, 

 gray, finely hairy, the pappus white ; they 

 are widely wind-distributed. (Fig. 301.) 



Westward to Minnesota and Missouri, 

 this plant gives place to a near relative, the 

 HAIRY HEATH ASTER (Aster ericoldes var. 

 pilbsus, Porter), very like it in appearance 

 and habits except that the hard stems and 



the small, pointed leaves are clothed all 



... ., , . FIG. 301. Heath Aster 



over with fine, soft hair. (Aster ericoides} , x i. 



Means of control 



Cultivation of the ground, fertilizing heavily and tilling very 

 thoroughly before reseeding with clover and grasses. Sheep will 

 eat the weed while it is young and will do good service in keeping 

 it down in pastures. 



MANY-FLOWERED ASTER 

 Aster multiflbrus, Ait. 



Other English names : White Wreath Aster, Fall Flower. 

 Native. Perennial. Propagates by seeds. 



2F 



