WILD FLOWERS BLUE AND PURPLE 
which grows two or three feet high from a long root- 
stock. The basal leaves are very large. They are 
broadly heart-shaped, taper to a sharp point, and have 
toothed margins. They have long, slender, grooved 
and often sticky stems. These very noticeable leaves 
are set three or four together near the ground, and com- 
monly form large mats or patches—a means by 
which they may be usually identified. The upper 
leaves become suddenly smaller and oblong in shape, 
with short, broadly winged stems, the topmost ones 
finally occurring almost stemless. The attractive flower 
heads are loosely arranged in broad, terminal clusters, 
and they are nearly an inch across. They have from 
twelve to sixteen rays of various shades of lilac, laven- 
der or violet, and their yellow disc florets turn reddish 
brown as they fade. This sweetly scented Aster is 
common in well-drained soils in open woods and 
thickets, from Canada to Minnesota, and North 
Carolina during August and September. 
LOW SHOWY ASTER. SEASIDE PURPLE ASTER 
Aster spectabilis. Thistle Family. 
A very pretty member of the family, found in dey, 
sandy soil, along the coast, from Massachusetts to 
Delaware, during August, September and October. 
The stiff, coarse stem grows only one or two feet high, 
and branches slightly at the top to accommodate the 
flowers. The leaves are thick-textured, and mostly 
toothless. The lower ones, which have stems, are oval 
and taper acutely toward either end. The upper ones 
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