174 DESCRIPTION OF ASTER; DIVARICATI 
Name, L., arcus, a bow, from the brace-base character of the leaves, a double 
curve, suggesting a bow. 
Fic. 25, plant from Hunter, N. Y., Se. 8, ’99, in hb. Bu. 
Growth cespitose, forming loose patches sometimes extending 
a rod without intermixture. Pale brown rootstocks occur with 
internodes about 1 in. long, much thickened and shortened toward 
the ascending stem. Stems 
usually 177 ft. high, chiefly 
of a purplish wine-color (ex- 
cept in case of occasional 
exterior plants); usually ap- 
pearing the more slender and 
tapering on account of the 
gradual reduction in size of 
the upper stem-leaves. Rad- 
d 
lar - ovate, slender - petioled 
and serrulate. 
Leaf-type triangular- 
ovate, not long nor large, 
broadest at or near the brace- 
like base, irregularly and 
doubly serrate, firm, rough- 
ish when dry, dark green, 
slender-petioled, about 2% 
x 2 in. in size. 
Lower caulines slightly 
incurved-acuminate; middle 
and upper caulines and axiles 
BY ^ often taper straight from the 
4 b : C base; wing-bases occur with 
Aster arcifolius the first axiles ; upper axiles 
Fic. 25. sessile. Teeth of very great 
variety, couchant, curves- 
cent, aquiline, straight-serrate, etc., mingled. Veins slender, pale, 
strongly upcurved toward the apex, chiefly external, as if laid on 
or applied beneath. 
Sinus very broad, open and shallow, continuously developed, 
nearly or quite to the axiles. Sometimes a deeper sinus occurs 
below or a narrow one intermixed above. 
Inflorescence usually a small and rather close convex cyme ; 
or with several branches, each bearing such a cyme ; after long 
flowering, each becomes diffuse and widely forking. Axis semi- 
percurrent only or obsolete. Typical heads small, 3% in. across, 
