CLASS XIX. ORDER II. 319 



alternate ; stem branched at top ; corymbs fasti- 

 giate. L. 



No object in the fields is better known than the dry, pearly, 

 and almost incorruptible heads of the Life Evcrlastirg. The 

 whole plant has a white appearance derived from its downy 

 covering. Stem erect, round, from one to two feet high, woolly. 

 Leaves numerous, sessile, growing without order round the stem, 

 green above with a slight down, whitish, with very thick down, 

 or wool, underneath. Branches forming a flat topped corymb 

 of crowded flowers. Calyx hemispherical, its scales of a clear 

 white. Florets five cleft, yellow. The plant has a slight, pleas- 

 ant odor. — August. — Perennial. 



Gnaphalium polycephalum. Fragrant Life Everlasting. 

 Herbaceous, erect; leaves lanceolate, woolly be- 

 neath ; stem wolly, panicled ; corymbs terminal, 

 crowded. 



A branching, downy, strong scented species. Eoot perpen- 

 dicular, tapering. Stem covered with whitish woolly down and 

 much branched. Leaves lanceolate, sessile, woolly underneath, 

 green and somewhat downy above. Flowers ovate, in thick 

 terminal clusters. Calyx scales imbricate, ovate and whitish. 

 Florets funnel form, yellow at top. The scent is much stronger 

 than in the last species. — Fields, salt marshes. — August, Sep- 

 tember. — Annual. 



Gnaphalium DECURRENS. Ives. Decurrent Life Ever- 

 lasting. 

 Leaves lanceolate, broad at the base, actite, decur- 

 rent, somewhat scabrous above, downy beneath ; stem 

 leafy, branched. 



This species discovered by Dr. Ives at New Haven, is distin- 

 guished by the decurrent base of the leaves, which extend a short 

 way down the stem. It is one or two feet high and spreading. — 

 Brookline. Mr. Green. — August. — Perennial. 

 Gnaphalium plantagineum. L. Mouse Ear. 



Shoots procumbent ; stem simple ; radical leaves 



