Composite Jfamil^. 



Wild Sunflower. Helianthus tuherosus. 



Jerusalem Artichoke. 



Found through September and October, in cultivated fields, and 

 along thicket borders. 



The stalk branches for flowers near the top ; it is leafy, large, from 

 3 to 7 or 8 feet, very stout, and rough with shoi-t hairs. Its color is 

 light green. 



The leaf is large, and oval, with a pointed tip and widest at the 

 base, where it tapers into a short stem; the margin is somewhat ob- 

 scurely notched, the texture is coarse, showing 3 strong ribs, and the 

 surface is rough. The color is a full, strong green. In growth, the 

 leaves are generally opposite, though the upper leaves are often 

 alternate. 



The disc flowers are small, tubular, and 5-pointed, of a dull yellow 

 color ; the stamens are protruding, spirally curled, and brownish ; the 

 rays, from 8 to 15 in number, are long, and broad, and colored a 

 brilliant orange-yellow. The leafy cup, which encloses the head, is 

 composed of several rows of green parts ; the heads grow singly from 

 the summit of the stalk, or by twos and threes, on stems, fi-om the 

 angles of the leaves. This is a towering plant, whose brilliant flowers 

 and vigorous leafage render it an effective feature of the wild hedge- 

 row. Its tuberous root is sometimes cooked as a vegetable, and in a 

 raw state is eaten by men and boys. 



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