COMPOSITAE (COMPOSITE FAMILY) 463, 
A plant once known only on western prairies, 
but now common in eastern fields, the wide 
and rapid distribution having been accom- 
plished by impure commercial seeds and baled 
hay, of which the refuse is spread on the 
fields. 
Stems one to three feet tall, simple or 
branching near the base, rather stout, bristly 
hairy. Leaves alternate, oblong, two to six 
inches in length, thick, hairy, pointed at 
both ends, entire, or slightly wavy-toothed, the 
lower ones spatulate, three-nerved and with 
grooved petioles, those on the stalks sessile 
and clasping. Heads two to four inches broad, 
solitary on long hairy peduncles, the rounded 
disk brownish purple, its florets perfect and 
fertile, the long sterile rays brilliant orange. 
Bracts of the involucre in two or three rows, 
spreading, rough and hairy. Achenes black or 
very dark brown, about an eighth of an inch 
long, narrow, four-angled and without a pap- i 
pus. (Fig. 323.) i 
Means of control aye sisan EGE 
Being biennial, this weed is readily sup- asics a 
pressed by pulling or close cutting before its seeds develop. But 
care must be taken that it is not continually reintroduced in 
poorly cleaned seed. 
PURPLE CONE-FLOWER 
Braunéria purpurea, Britton 
Other English names: Red Sunflower, Black Sampson. 
Native. Perennial. Propagates by seeds. 
Time of bloom: July to October. 
Seed-time: August to November. . 
Range: Virginia to Missouri, southward to the Carolinas, Alabama, 
and Louisiana. Locally in the Northern States from New York 
to Michigan. 
Habitat: Meadows, fence rows, and waste places. 
