446 THE COMPOSITE FAMILY. 



This, the largest of all Composite genera, is spread over every quarter 

 of the globe, although the majority of species occupy each a small area. 

 Several species which have not the small outer bracts to the involucre, 

 were distinguished by Linnseus under the name of Cineraria, but the 

 character has proved so uncertain that modern botanists have given 

 it up. 



Leaves cut or divided. 



Florets of the ray very small and rolled back, or en- 

 tirely ivanting. Moot annual. 

 Kay none. Flower-heads almost sessile, in dense 



corymbs or clusters . . ' 1. Groundsel S. 



- Ray small and rolled back or rarely wanting. Flower- 

 heads stalked, in loose corymbs. 

 Whole plant very viscid. Involucres broadly cy- 

 lindrical, of about. 20 bracts, with 2 or 3 short 



outer ones. Achenes glabrous 2. Viscous S. 



Plant rarely viscid. Involucres narrow, of about 12 

 to 14 bracts ; the outer ones scarcely perceptible. 



Achenes silky 3. Wood S. 



Florets of the ray conspicuous and spreading. 

 Boot annual. 



Achenes with short silky hairs 4. Squalid S. 



Achenes quite glabrous 5. Water S. 



Bootstock perennial. 



Branches spreading. Corymb loose and irregular. 



Achenes all glabrous 5. Water S. 



Stem tall and erect. Corymb rather dense, and 

 terminal. Achenes of the disk hairy. 

 Leaves irregularly pinnate, with a broad terminal 

 lobe. Achenes of the ray glabrous. Boot- 

 stock not creeping 6. Ragwort S. 



Leaves pinnate ; the lobe3 all narrow. Achenes 



all hairy. Bootstock shortly creeping ... 7. Narroiv-leavedS. 

 Leaves undivided, entire or toothed. 



Involucres with small, fine outer bracts at the base. 

 Leaves acutely toothed. 

 Leaves cottony underneath. Bay of 12 to 20 florets 8. Fen S. 



Leaves glabrous. Ray of 5 to 8 florets 9. Broad-leaved S. 



Involucres of a single row of bracts, without small 

 outer ones. Leaves entire or obtusely toothed. 

 Annual or biennial. Leaves downy. Achenes gla- 

 brous, strongly ribbed 10. Marsh S. 



Bootstock perennial. Leaves loosely cottony under- 

 neath. Achenes cottony ; the ribs scarcely pro- 

 minent 11. Field S. 



Several exotic species are much cultivated for ornament, especially 





