BLUE AND PURPLE . WILD FLOWERS 
much the same as those of the Spiked Lobelia, and are 
scattered along the stalk, forming loose, terminal 
spikes. This species is easily distinguished by the 
prominent inflated seed cases which succeed the flowers. 
The Indian Tobacco is found in dry, open soils from 
Georgia, Nebraska and Arkansas, and far into Canada, 
IRONWEED. FLAT TOP 
Vernonia noveboracénsis. Thistle Family. 
The deep purple, Thistle-like flowers of the Ironweed 
enliven our roadsides and low meadows with their 
intense colouring from July to September. The 
tall, branching stalk is smooth or rough, and grows 
from three to nine feet in height. The narrowly oblong 
or lance-shaped and pointed leaves are alternating 
and finely toothed. From twenty to thirty bell-shaped 
flowers are borne on short, branched stems, and form 
broad, flat-topped clusters. The small bracts of the 
leafy, brownish purple cup are tipped with spreading 
bristles. The feathery flowers are often mistaken 
for those of an Aster, but as they are composed entirely 
of tubular ray florets and lack the central yellow disc 
florets of the latter, they are easily distinguished, 
The Ironweed ranges from New England to Georgia 
and Mississippi, and west to Misscuri and Minnesota. 
LARGE BUTTON SNAKEROOT. GAY FEATHER. 
BLUE BLAZING STAR. 
Liatris squarrdsa. Thistle Family. 
The showy, bluish purple flowering spikes of this 
tall, beautiful perennial, blossom with the Golden-rods 
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