i6o 



COROLLIFLORjE 



II. Leontodon (Dandelion) 



I. L. Taraxacum (Common Dandelion). — Dandelion, (from the 

 French Dent-de-lion, lion's tooth) is the popular name of many of 

 the larger yellow flowers belonging to this Sub-order. The true 

 Dandelion may, however, be readily known by the following 

 characters. The leaves all spring from the root, and are deeply 

 cut, with the sharp lobes pointing backwards ; the flower-stalks are 

 hollow, smooth, and leafless, and bear a single flower ; the outer 

 scales of the involucre are reflexed ; the pappus is stalked and 

 white ; the heads when in fruit are of a globular form ; and the 

 receptacle, after the fruit has been blown away, is convex and dotted. 

 The dandelion has valuable medicinal properties, and is some- 

 times used as a salad. — Fl. nearly all the year round. Perennial. 



12. Lapsana [Nipple-wort) 



I. L. communis (Common Nipple-wort). 

 — Leaves stalked, toothed, heart-shaped at 

 the base ; stem branched ; fl.owers numer- 

 ous. A leafy plant, 2-3 feet high, with 

 numerous small j'eUow flowers ; the lower 

 leaves often have several small lobes 

 running along the opposite sides of the 

 stalks. Hedges and waste ground ; com- 

 mon. — Fl. July, August. Annual. 



13. CmcHORiUM {Chicory) 



I. C. Intyhus (Wild Chicory, or Suc- 

 cory). — Well distinguished by its tough, 

 angled, hispid, alternately-branched stems, 

 clasping leaves, and large blue sessile 

 flower-heads, of which each floret is 

 5-toothed. Not uncommon on chalky 

 soils. — Fl. July to October. Perennial. 



Lapsana Communis 

 {Common Nipple-wort) 



II. Cynarocephal^. — Thistle Group 



14. Arctium (Bur-dock) 



I. A. Lappa (Common -Bur-dock). — A large stout herbaceous 

 plant, 3-5 feet high, with very large handsome lower leaves, and 

 a terminal panicle of large heads of purplish florets, enclosed in a 

 globular invohicre of hooked scales, which, becoming attached to 

 the coats of passing animals, the seeds are conveyed to a distance. 

 The scales are often interwoven with a white cottony down. Some 



