218 FAMILIAR FLOWERS OF FIELD AND GARDEN. 



" Too near S. altissima — distinguished only by its 



smootli stem and thin, larger leaves." Both these 



varieties are early-flowering. 



S. tiemoralis is not over two 

 feet high, and has dense plumes 

 of rich golden - yellow flowers 

 growing on the upper side of 

 their stems ; the main stem is 

 grayish, with a cottony look, and 

 is sparingly furnished with dull 

 gray-green leaves. It blooms in 

 early August, and is found most- 

 ly in sterile fields. I consider 

 it the most brilliantly colored of 

 all the golden-rods. 



S. Canadensis is coarse-grow- 

 ing, has rough, hairy stems and 

 leaves which are harsh to the 

 touch ; the thick clusters of deep- 

 yellow flowers grow in a one- 

 sided way on their spreading 

 stems ; the leaves are distinctly 

 three - veined (more correctly 

 speaking, three-ribbed). This va- 

 riety will grow from three to 



five feet high, or may be higher. 



S. rugosa is sometimes distinguished by a num- 



S. nemoralis. 



