14 VARIATION IN ASTER 
N'. First normal stage, seedling stage, developing a small root- 
stock and usually 2 small radical leaves. 
N?, Radical-tuft stage ; remaining often year after yearas a tuft 
of radicals, storing up material, thickening and lengthening the root- 
stock. In some, as often in A. /ateriflorus, these radical tufts may 
develop into flowering stems the same year. In many species the 
radical tufts remain commonly undeveloped but are occasionally 
called out by unusual conditions; as in A. divaricatus. In A. 
paniculatus and allies they are narrow and little conspicuous. In 
most other species they are broader than most subsequent leaves, 
at least in proportion ; as in A. azureus, A. Shortii, A. undulatus, 
A. cordifolius and allies. Species in which they become large and 
conspicuous include A. macrophyllus, A. Schreberi, A. spectabilis, 
A. laevis and their respective allies ; the continued development of 
their tufts soon covering the ground with the plantations which 
are so familiar in northern woods, sometimes becoming very ex- 
tensive and in A. macrophyllus and A. spectabilis often composed 
of these leaves entirely exclusive of any foreign intermixture. 
A'. Oval-topped stage; into this the preceding develops 
when the normal radicals are topped out by a few additional 
smaller non-cordate leaves, oval leaves often arising above cordate 
ones, sometimes intermixed with them. These appear as the re- 
sult of vigor, occurring in strong plants, in rich soil. These non- 
cordate radicals are smoother and thinner than the others, less 
uniform in shape, usually 2 or 3 times longer than broad, and 
with both ends nearly alike, the outline being oval, elliptical or 
oblong, sometimes spatulate or orbicular. Often the base is de- 
current on one side of the petiole. A. macrophyllus, A. divaricatus, 
and nearly all of their allies and varieties will occasionally show 
this stage. 
A?. Plantain-leaf stage; an extreme development of the last, 
the preceding non-cordate leaves becoming those now chiefly de- 
veloped, growing large, broad, rough, sometimes 10 to a plant, 
and reminding one of the leaves of Plantago major. These seem 
to be due to access of light and nutrition, suddenly, not gradually, 
admitted. Favorable conditions for this development are afforded 
when, after the plants have become thoroughly established in 
deep rich soil, the trees are suddenly cut away. Examples are 
