COMPOSITE. 133 



rather narrower towards the base. Edges of fields and woods ; 

 August. 



A. puniceas. L. Purple Aster. Stem often reddish, not 

 straight, and rather angular, 2-3 feet high, with long leaves taper- 

 ing to both ends, and slightly clasping, bearing its large and beau- 

 tiful blue flowers on the ends and sides of the branches, hairy and 

 rough. Fields and woods in rather wet soils ; September. A 

 fine species. 



A. prenanthoidcs. W. Much like the last ; flowers about 

 equal, but whitish-blue ; leaves shaped like a spatula, or wider in 

 the middle, and tapering to both ends, but more towards the stem, 

 clasping ; less rough than the preceding, but in like situations ; 

 September. 



A. acuminatus. Mx. Sharp-leaved Aster. Stem a foot or 

 more high, simple, erect, flexuous, angular, with broad leaves 

 tapering long towards the base, towards the upper side toothed, 

 and fully acuminate at the end ; flowers in a panicle, rather 

 spreading, middle-sized, white in the rays ; on mountains ; Au- 

 gust to October. Very different from the preceding. 



A. linarifolius. W. Flax-leafed Aster. Stem about a foot 

 high, stiff, roughish, decumbent, covered with long, stiff, narrow 

 leaves, that give the plant a flax-like appearance at a little distance, 

 and bearing a few single, purplish flowers, on short foot-stalks ; 

 open woods, on hills and high plains in light soils ; blossoms in 

 September and October. It is altogether a curious-looking plant ; 

 flowers with white rays of a middle size. 



A. diffusus. Ait. Branched Star Flower. A very branch- 

 ing and spreading plant, 1-2 feet high, unsightly, bearing a multi- 

 tude of small white flowers ; September ; in woods and by road- 

 sides, on hills. 



A. conyzoides. W. Resembles some species of Conyza ; 



