146 DESCRIPTION OF ASTERS; DIVARICATI 
in a convex or narrow inflorescence ; pedicels y% in. long or 
only 4!;; heads 5$ in. broad, 2 high, very dissimilar in develop- 
ment, many new heads 
developing among and be- 
low those already opened, 
many developing but par- 
tially, and still more 
blasting altogether. 
Bracts straight-sided, 
obtusish, not so diverse 
on the same involucre as 
in A. fpersalieus; the 
green tip short, not dark 
nor definite, shading off 
| gradually downward. 
Some lowest bracts are 
triangular-acutish, and 
many middle ones are 
chanfer-topped. 
Rays narrow, about 
7,at first suberect, slowly 
il 
flattening, finally invo- 
lute-filiform or twisted ; 
their color dull white, not 
clear, often becoming vir- 
escent. Disks funnelform, 
tapering insensibly into a 
Figen a slender threadlike stalk ; 
Fic. 13. the lobes spreading, 
shorter than the bell be- 
low, which itself is but about !4 as long as the stalk. Pappus 
very fine and soft, reaching to the base of the lobes. 
— Dark or damp woods, often filling extensive levels of thin 
clayey soil, growing not in close clumps or stools but rather uni- 
formly diffused. Chiefly observed near New York City, through- 
out September, especially the latter part of the month. 
— When its inflorescence continues well down the stem, it may 
resemble A. Claytoni, but unlike A. Claytoni, the axiles are petioled, 
not sessile, and with rounded, not truncate, bases. Its leaves are 
also thinner, smoother, longer and much larger. 
— Passes into A. erectus, which is usually lower, has smaller 
leaves, and develops couchant teeth and larger heads with the rays 
quite persistently erect. Passes also into A. persaliens, which has 
rx a COPE edo ae See a END SSUNS 
