Composite 3famil^. 



Elecampane. 



Inula Helenium. 



Found along roadsides in August. 



Growing to the good height of 5 feet sometimes, this very large, 

 and stout stalk is single and leafy, tough-fibred, but smooth to the 

 touch. Colored green, with a beautiful purple-gray bloom. 



The leaf is large ; its heart-shaped base has prolonged points, and 

 its tip tapers very much ; the margin is irregularly scalloped, its ribs 

 ai'e many and strong, the midrib being large and prominent beneath, 

 and so taut it puckers and pulls the blade ; the texture is thick, and the 

 underside is slightly woolly. The root-leaves are oval, and on long 

 stems ; the upper leaves are clasping, and alternately j'laced. Their 

 color is a strong grayish -green, of a peculiarly fine, cool quality. 



V The flowers ar«5 small, and yellow, soon turning to tawny. They 

 are set in a large disc, surrounded by many, narrow, bright yellow rays. 

 The cup -which holds the head is shallow and com2)osed of many broad, 

 curling or \vavy, light green parts, which overlap each other in several 

 rows ; close beneath the cup occurs a small leaf. The head is set on a 

 stem which bears a single leaf midway its length ; two or three flower- 

 heads are grouped together ; they are placed terminally, and in the 

 angles of the upper leaves. 



Growing in large settlements, by the stone wall or Virginia-rail 

 fence. Elecampane commands attention by its splendid vigor of growth, 

 and the free curves of its fine leafage. In color too, it is highly siigges- 

 tive of decorative purposes, for the excellence of its green, and the plum- 

 gray bloom upon its stout stalk. 



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