400 COMPOSITE. Erechtites. 



38. ERECHTITES. Raf.; DC. prodr. 6. p. 294. fireweed. 



[An ancient name of a species of Senecio, from which the genus Erechtites was separated] 



Heads many-flowered, discoid ; the flowers all tubular ; the marginal pistillate, with a some- 

 what 2 - 3-toothed corolla ; the others perfect, with the corolla 4 - 5-toothed. Involucre 

 cylindrical ; the scales in a single series, linear, acute. Receptacle naked, somewhat 

 papillose. Branches of the style tipped with an upwardly pubescent cone. Achenia oblong, 

 striate, somewhat contracted at the apex. Pappus copious, of very fine capillary bristles. — 

 Erect annual herbs, with alternate simple leaves and corymbose heads. Flowers whitish 

 or yellowish. 



1. Erechtites hieracifolius, Raf. Com7non Fireweed. 



Stem simple or paniculate above, sulcate ; leaves lanceolate-oblong, acute, coarsely and 

 unequally serrate with sharp salient teeth, tapering to the base, the upper ones often auriculate- 

 sagittate and partly clasping ; involucre smooth, with small linear bracteoles at the base. — 

 DC. prodr. 6. p. 294 ; Torr. <^ Gr. ji. N. Am. 2. p. 434. E. hieracifolia, prjealta and 

 elongata, Raf. Senecio hieracifolius, Linn. sp. 2. p. 866 ; Michx. fi. 2. p. 119 ; Pursh, 

 jl. 2. p. 529 ; Ell. sk. 2. p. 328 ; Bigel. Jl. Bost. p. 307 ; Beck, hot. p. 201 ; Darlingt. 

 ft. Cest. p. 498 ; Hook. Jl. Bar. -Am. 1. p. 332. 



Stem 1-4 feet high, thick and succulent, paniculately corymbose at the summit, usually 

 more or less hairy, but sometimes smooth. Leaves 3-6 inches long and 1-2 inches or 

 more wide, somewhat hairy underneath, particularly on the midrib. Heads about three-fourths 

 of an inch long, on sleiider peduncles, a little swelling at the base. Scales of the involucre 

 about the length of the disk, striate, green with narrow scarious margins. Pappus very 

 copious, white and silky. 



Moist grounds, road sides, and particularly in places that have been recently burnt over ; 

 very common. July — September. The whole plant lias a rank nauseous odor. It is said 

 that an essential oil is extracted from it, which is used as a remedy for piles, and for diarrhoea. 



39. CACALIA. Linn. ; DC. prodr. 6. p. 327. INDIAN PLANTAIN. 



[An ancient name applied to some species of tliis genus.] 



Heads 5 - many-flowered ; the flowers all tubular and perfect. Involucre cylindrical ; the 

 scales 5 - 30, in a single series. Receptacle flat, not chaflfy, sometimes with a conical or 

 scale-like appendage in the centre. Limb of the corolla expanded, deeply 5-cleft. Branches 

 of the style tipped with a very short cone, or obtuse. Achenia oblong, smooth, not rostrate. 

 Pappus of minute rough capillary bristles. — Perennial herbs, mostly very smooth, with 

 alternate and usually petiolate leaves and corymbose heads. Flowers white or cream- 

 colored. 



