YARROW : MILLEFOIL OR THOUSAND-LEAF 473 



In the dandelion the pappus is stalked, that is, situated at 

 the end of the prolonged upper part or beak of the fruit 

 (2, Fig. 148). In groundsel (3, Fig. 148) the pappus is 

 sessile. 



Ex. 245. — (l) Examine the inflorescences of ox-eye daisy, common daisy, 

 sow-thistle, dandelion, groundsel, and any other common Composite. Note 

 the form and extent of the involucre, the presence or absence of disk and ray 

 florets. 



(2) Cut vertical sections of the capitula and observe the form of the 

 receptacles, whether flat, convex, concave, or conical. Note the presence or 

 absence of small bristly or chaffy scales (bracteoles) on the receptacles near 

 each flower. 



{3) Examine the fruits of the above-mentioned plants. Note (he presence 

 or absence of a pappus ; also the smoothness or roughness of the pericarp. 

 Are the hairs of the pappus simple or branched ? 



3. Yarrow : Millefoil or Thousand-leaf {Achillea Millefolium 

 L.) is a perennial plant belonging to the Compositse, common in 

 poor dry pastures, and possessing an extensive creeping root- 

 stock. The stems are from 6 to 18 inches high, and furrowe-d. 

 The leaves are 2 or 3 inches long, narrow, oblong, and much 

 divided, the segments being very fine. The capitula, which 

 are crowded together in a corymbose manner, are small, usually 

 not more than -J- or ^ inch in diameter, with white or pinkish 

 ray florets. 



The fruits, commercially known as ' seeds',' are compressed, and 

 have no pappus. Yarrow grows very early in spring, and pos- 

 sesses a strong aromatic odour when bruised. Sheep are fond 

 of the young leaves, and generally keep the plants eaten down 

 in pastures. But when it has developed its strong woody stem 

 stock refuse it. 



Yarrow is sometimes recommended for mixture with grass 

 seeds when sowing down land for sheep pasture, but its use 

 must be restricted to the narrowest limits, or it will soon dis- 

 figure and usurp the ground which should be allotted to better 



