COMPOSITE. 131 



feet high, slightly pubescent ; leaves lanceolate, nerved, entire, 

 slightly clasping ; June to August. 



The other four species, heterophyllum, L., Philadelphicum, L., 

 purpureum, L., and strigosum, L., have little interest. 



Senecio. L. 17. 2. 



So called, like the last, for the early maturity of some of the 

 species. Mostly mere weeds ; about 140 species spread over 

 Europe and the adjoining countries, and the Cape of Good Hope ; 

 about 14 species in this country, only 5 in this State, and 2 of 

 them rather rare. 



&. aureus, W., and S. obovatus, W. Ragwort. Grow in wet 

 places, 2-3 feet high, with yellow blossoms, rather showy. 

 The decoction of these is sometimes successfully used for the 

 cure of the salt-rheum, by washing the eruption with it. 



S. vulgaris. L. Groundsel. Introduced from Europe ; 

 emollient and resolvent, and used in Europe as a remedy for 

 spitting of blood. Loudon. 



S. hieracifollus. L. Fire weed. The well-known plant that 

 springs up where a clearing is made in the forest by burning up 

 logs and brush ; a large plant, with unsightly flowers, and large 

 succulent leaves. In travelling the Great Canal, in the State of 

 New York, you pass large neglected fields of half-cleared lands, 

 which are overrun by this weed. Cultivation eradicates it with 

 the greatest ease, although it appears to yield a multitude of seeds. 

 The plant has a nauseous odor. 



S. balsamitaz. W. A small plant with radical leaves, oblong, 

 serrate, petiolate, and the stem leaves lyrate or pinnatifid ; June, 

 in dry pastures ; Stoneham. Big. 



Helenium. L. 17. 2. 

 An American genus of few species ; named from a species of 

 Inula, Elecampane, whose cosmetic properties the famous Helen 

 is fabled to have used. 



