106 
POLYGAMIA, SUPERFLUA. 
About six or ten inches high, easily recognized by its di- 
chotomous habit, which is constant. Flowers white, calices 
pale-yellow. This species is extremely common in the 
neighbourhood of Washington, (Columbia,) all through Ma- 
ryland, and from York-town to the Susquehanna. Hence I 
conclude it is a native. In this vicinity it is rare. On the 
road to Chester, scarce. Annual. July, August. 
315. ERIGERON. Gen. pl. 1287. ( Corymbifere.) 
Calix imbricated, sub-hemispherical, in fruit 
often reflected. Rays of the corolla linear, 
very narrow, and numerous. Receptacle 
naked. Pappus double, exterior minute, 
interior pilous, of few rays. (12 to 25?)— 
Nutt. 
bellidifolium. 1, E. hirsute, hoary ; radical leaves obovate, sub- 
serrate: stem leaves few, distant, lanceolate, 
very entire; stem about 3-flowered ; rays elon- 
gated.— Willd. and Pursh. 
E. bellidifolium, Mich., Muhl., and Pursh. 
E, Serpentaria, Herb. Banks. Mss. (Pursh.) 
E. pulchellum, Mich. 
E. caule sumplicissimo, &c. Gron. 
Poor Robert’?s Plantane. 
From eighteen inches to two feet high. Flowers (rays) pale- 
purple. Ihave understood through Mr. Heckewelder, (who 
described the plant minutely) that this is one of the vegeta- 
ble cures among the Indians, for the bite of the rattle-snake. 
Hence perhaps the name by which it stands in the herbarium 
of Sir Joseph Banks, as quoted above. Though the name 
Poor Robert’s Plantane is sometimes applied to Hieracium ve- 
nosum, yet the plant now under notice is much more com- 
monly recognized by that appellation. As its congener Erige- 
von Philadelphicum, and E. heterophyllum are possessed of 
active medicinal virtues, it is not unlikely that the remediate 
powers attributed to this species by the Indians, are worthy 
of attention, In shady woods and especially on hills, common. 
Perennial. June, July. 
Philadelphi- 2. E. pubescent ; leaves cuneate-oblong, rarely cut- 
cum. 
dentate, those of the stem semi-amplexicaule ; 

