MICHAELMAS DAISIES 265 
are.those of the ray-florets only, the disk-florets being always more or 
less yellow. e 
ASTER ACUMINATUS (tapering). Stems angular, wavy, 
unbranched, 2 feet high. Leaves broad-lance-shaped, not 
toothed, narrowed at base, and ending in a long slender point. Flower- 
heads white, in panicled corymbs ; September. 
A. ALPINUS (alpine). Stems stout, one-flowered, 6 to 9 inches 
Radical leaves somewhat spoon-shaped; stem-leaves lance-shaped. 
Flower-heads bright purple, 1 to 2 inches across; July. European. A 
compact dwarf plant useful for edging purposes, and for cut flowers. 
There is a var. albus with white flowers, but it is in all respects less 
desirable than the type. 
A. ALTAICUS (Altaian). Stems downy, branched at top, 1 foot high. 
Leaves narrow-lance-shaped, untoothed. Flower-heads blue-purple, 2 
inches across; June and July. Northern Asia. 
A. AMELLUS (Amellus-like). Stems 2 feet high. Leaves rough, 
_ blunt lance-shaped. Flower-heads solitary, numerous, purple; August. 
A South European species. Plate 130A. The var. bessarabica is 
larger than the type and more showy, the flowers being larger and of a 
deeper purple colour. The var. amelloides is also superior to the type. 
These three are of the very best of summer-flowering herbaceous 
plants. 
A. BIGELOoviI (Bigelow’s). Stems 25 feet high. Radical leaves 
rather spoon-shaped, covered with rough down; stem-leaves oblong, 
faintly toothed, clasping the stem. Flower-heads lilac, in corymbs; 
June to August. Colorado. 
. A. DISCOLOR (parti-coloured). A beautiful little plant, 1 foot high, 
with a crowd of slender stems, often weighed to the ground by the 
profusion of purple flowers they bear in October. A good plant for the 
rockery, or indeed any position. 
A. DRACUNCULOIDES (Tarragon-like). Stems branched corymbosely, 
3 feet high. Leaves narrow-lance-shaped, slightly toothed : upper ones 
more slender and tapering, not toothed. Flower-heads white, in cymes ; 
September and October. 
A. DUMOSUS (bushy). Stems branched, 2 feet high. Leaves slender, 
smooth. Flower-heads whitish, }-inch across, in broad corymbs; October. 
There is a var. albus with the flower-heads — quite white; var 
violaceus has them violet-purple. 
A. ELEGANS (elegant). Stems 2 feet. Radical leaves oblong, 
stalked ; stem-leaves more lance-shaped, rough. Flower-heads small, 
blue, in a contracted drooping corymb ; September. 
11.—26 
Principal Species. 
