COMPOSITE. 



473 



ones, or sometimes nearly all, linear and 

 entire. Involucres solitary, on long ter- 

 minal peduncles, ovoid ; the bracts ap- 

 pressed, often ending in a minute prickle, 

 and bordered by a fringe of very small 

 teeth. Central florets of a bluish pur- 

 ple ; outer ones much larger, of a bright 

 blue. Pappus about the- length of the 

 achene. 



Apparently of south European or west 

 Asiatic origin, but now spread as a corn- 

 field weed over a great part of Europe 

 and Asia. Not uncommon in British 

 cornfields, and formerly much cultivated 

 in flower-gardens, where it will sport 

 much as to colour. Fl. all summer. 



Fig. 566. 



4. Jersey Centaurea. Centaurea aspera, Linn. (Fig. 567.) 

 (C. Isnarcli, Eng. Bot. t. 2256.) 



A biennial or perennial, much branch- 

 ed, very spreading or prostrate, with 

 hard but not thick branches, glabrous, 

 or rough with minute hairs. Leaves 

 narrrow ; the lower ones pinnatifid, the 

 upper ones entire. Flower-heads soli- 

 tary at the ends of the branches, with 

 one or two leaves close under them. 

 Involucres about the size of those of the 

 corn C, with appressed glabrous bracts, 

 not fringed, but most or all of them 

 ending in a palmate appendage of 5 

 minute prickles or points. 



In waste lands, not far from the sea ; 

 very common on the Mediterranean, and 

 extending up the west coast of Europe 

 to the Channel Islands. Fl. summer 

 and autumn. 



vol. J. 



Fig. 567. 

 2 o 



