COMPOSITE 



ing feature is the ashy-greenness of the stem and the velvety 

 feel of the lance-shaped, slightly toothed leaves, whose 

 drooping appearance gives them a weary and dusty look. 

 The stem is branched at the top like a candelabra, and 

 the flower-clusters are somewhat heavy in appearance. 



COMPOSITE COMPOSITE FAMILY 



Solidago aspera, Ait. 

 Yellow 

 September-October 



Solidago: for derivation see altissima. 

 Aspera: Latin for rough. 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: "mainly the borders of thickets, 

 the dryish levels in low grounds." 



THE PLANT: erect, three feet tall and taller; the stem 

 having tiny, dry or bristly hairs. 



THE LEAVES: alternate; ovate, oblong or ovate-lanceolate; 

 thick; very dry on both surfaces; rounded at the base; 

 serrate; strongly wrinkled. 



THE FLOWER HEADS : much as in the rugosa, but the length- 

 ened racemes mostly forming a more slender panicle. 



THE FRUIT: achenes; the pappus of bristles. 



This is one of the later-blooming Goldenrods, belonging 

 as far as height is concerned, in the group with altissima, 

 Elliottii, odora, rugosa, sempervirens, and nuiligulata, but 

 not closely resembling any of these unless it be rugosa. 

 In speaking of this one, Mr. Bicknell says: 

 " A little recognized and widely variable Goldenrod, not 

 ordinarily to be confused with rugosa, but often associated 

 with it and quite probably subject to intercrossing." 



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