ANNUAL SUNFLOWERS 



617 



perfectly constant and uniform strain from Dreer. It 

 may be named var. chrysanthemoides ; plants of the same 

 general type have passed in horticulture as var. calif or- 

 nicus (not H. califomicus D.C.) 



Helianthus annum var. chrysanthemoides 



Manner of growth.— (Tested in two seasons). Grows 

 much more slowly than the other forms (except argophyl- 

 lus), but is very robust. Nine plants studied were 15-17 

 inches high July 14, about 36 inches July 30, and coming 

 into flower at about 5 ft., 6 inches, August 15. 



Foliage. — At first (June 8) leaves are narrow and long; 

 very uniform. Later, the upper (small) leaves are con- 

 spicuously pallid. At time of flowering the leaves are 

 broad, cordate, with auriculate base; surface very 

 strongly crinkled ; margin moderately dentate. 



Pubescence. — Leaves soft with very scanty pubescence; 

 petioles somewhat scabrous; stems, especially toward 

 the top and under the heads, with abundant and con- 

 spicuous soft white pubescence. 



Heads. — Stalks greatly broadened under heads, diam- 

 eter about 27 mm. just under bracts; involucral bracts 

 hairy, the marginal hairs not longer than those covering 

 the backs of the bracts, five strong veins, and others 

 weak; basal half of bracts about 15mm. broad, gradually, 

 not abruptly, tapering to acuminate ends ; bracts extend- 

 ing about 18 mm. beyond outer florets, which are like the 

 inner ones; heads entirely double (i. e., corollas ligulate), 

 rays very bright orange or saffron, discs light green 

 before they come into flower; immature achenes with 

 much silvery hair. 



This plant is so distinct, structurally and physiologic- 

 ally, that if it were not known to have originated in cultiva- 

 tion, it might well pass as a distinct species. Although I 

 have no information concerning its history, I can only 

 suppose that it is part argophyllus. Mr. Leonard Sutton 

 writes me that the similar Double catalogued by him, 

 which is of continental origin, does not grow more slowly 



