778 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



waste and cultivated grounds along the Pacific coast appearing as an introduced 

 weed. Also an introduced weed in Europe and South America. 



Erigeron ramosus (Walt.) BSP. White Weed. Fleabane. 



Stem and leaves somewhat hirsute and hairy, roughish; leaves entire or 

 nearly so; the upper lanceolate, the lower oblong or spatulate; heads borne in 

 corymbose panicles ; ray flowers white and twice as long as the scales of the 

 involucre; achenes small, pappus double, the inner of fragile bristles. 



Distribution. From Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Louisiana and Texas 

 to Northwest Territory. 



Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. Fleabane. White Weed. 



A sparingly pubescent annual from 3-5 feet high; leaves thin, coarsely and 

 sharply toothed, the lower one ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, acute and entire on 

 both ends ; heads corymbed and rays white, tinged with purple. 



Distribution. A common weed in meadows, pastures and woods in northern 

 United States. 



Fig. C. White weed {Erigeron an- 

 nuus). Common in clover and timothy 

 meadows. A troublesome weed. Leaves 

 and stem with a somewhat bitter flavor. 

 (Charlotte M. King). 



Poisonous properties. Common horseweed (. canadensis) abundant in 

 many places has been looked upon as being suspicious. It contains an oil, 

 mainly a terpene C 10 H 1Q . It has an acrid taste and is neutral in its reaction. 

 It causes smarting of the eyes, soreness of the throat, aching of extremities, 

 and colic. It causes irritation to people handling the plant. When in hay it 



