ASTER OLIVACEUS 205 
Internodes of the stem long and continuing for a long time to 
lengthen ; those of the long pale-sienna slender rootstock are very 
short and close. 
Stem generally forking into about 3 main branches, near its 
top, which rise at an acute angle into an upward curve and become 
erect or nearly so; their own branches are given off at a wide 
angle, bearing well-separated cymules which remain for a long 
Sr 
p» ; 
Aster. olivaceus 
Fic. 36. 
time dense with 10-12 crowded heads in an irregularly convex- 
topped cluster, which is involucrate and for some time enclosed 
by 1—3 broad ovate-lanceolate partly conduplicate bracteals. 
Pedicels tardily developed, white tomentulose and often but 
z5 in. long when the rays are already beginning to flatten, finally 
filiform and often 1 in. long at length. Great time-difference 
also exists between central and lateral blossoming, buds contin- 
uing to push out centrifugally while older heads are in pappus; 
unlike the somewhat similarly upcurved branches of A. castaneus, 
which are all completely in flower at once. 
