WILD FLOWERS YELLOW AND ORANGE 
flowers are rather large, and have from seven to ten 
rays. They are thickly grouped on short, spreading, 
recurved stems, many of which form a large, showy, 
terminal, leafy plume. This charming species inspired 
Celia Thaxter, who wrote: : 
“ Graceful, tossing plumes of glowing gold, 
Waving lonely on the rocky ledge; 
Leaning seaward, lovely, to behold, 
Clinging to the high cliff’s ragged edge.” 
EARLY, PLUME OR SHARP-TOOTHED GOLDEN- 
ROD. YELLOW-TOP 
| Solidago juncea. Thistle, Family. 
This species is one of the earliest and latest, as well 
as one of the handsomest and commonest of its genus. 
Its smooth, round, rather stout, rigid and light green 
stalk rises to an average of two feet:in height. Near 
the top it branches into numerous long, slender, droop- 
ing extensions, along the upper side of which, near the 
tips, the golden-yellow flowers are densely crowded. 
The rays number from eight to twelve, and are very 
small. The long-oval, pointed, lower leaves have 
sharply defined, spreading teeth, and are narrowed 
into winged stems. The upper leaves are long and 
narrow, and taper toward either’ end, with more or 
less entire margins. Their surface is smooth, and 
they are slightly triple-veined. Small leaflets spring 
from the angles of the leaves, which alternate on the 
stalk. ‘The dried plumes are commonly used for 
decorating in farm and country houses. Yellow-top 
is found in dry or rocky soil in copses and banks from 
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