WILD FLOWERS YELLOW AND ORANGE 
tuberous roots, which they used for food. It is still 
frequently raised for similar purposes. The roots are 
tender and of fine flavour, and. are eaten either raw, 
or cooked. They also make a popular relish when 
pickled. The tall, stout, leafy, hairy stalk grows 
perennially from six to twelve feet high, and branches 
at the top. The large, rather long-stemmed, triple- 
ribbed, pointed-oblong leaves have toothed margins 
and hairy surfaces. The upper ones are alternate, 
and the lower ones are paired. The brilliant flower 
heads are several or numerous, and are set in green, 
leafy, half-round cups, and are composed of numer- 
ous small, yellow, tubular disc flowers, fringed with 
from ten to twenty long, flaring, rich, yellow rays. 
Few or several flower heads are set on the tips of the 
terminal branches. This species prefers moist soil, and 
is found along fences, roadsides, and thickets during 
September and October, and ranges from Georgia and 
Arkansas to Canada. . 
BEGGAR-TICKS. STICK-TIGHT. STICK-WEED. 
RAYLESS MARIGOLD. PITCH-FORKS. 
COMMON BUR MARIGOLD 
Bidens fronddsa. Thistle Family. 
Bidens means two teeth, and refers to the two 
sharp prongs of the flat, brown seed of this species, 
which attaches itself to everything in the line of cloth- 
ing or wool that happens to brush against it. They 
will not shake off, either, and their removal requires 
the most patient and exacting effort, as anyone who. 
has roamed the fields in the fall can testify. The 
187 
