192 



WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS. 



1. E. hieracifo'lia, R^^f- Stem simple, or paniculate at summit; 

 leaves lance-oblong, narrowed at base, acute, unequally incised-den 

 tate, sessile, — the upper ones often sagittate-auriculate and somewhat 

 clasping. 



HiERACiuM-LEAVED Eeechthites. Firc-wced. 



stem 2-4 or 5 feet high, rather large, succulent and tender when young, striate-ssulcate, 

 more or less hairy, sometimes nearly smooth. Leaves 3-6 or 8 inches long. Heads 

 middle-sized, often numerous, in small cymose corymbe terminating the paniculate 

 branches; involucre terete-oblong, slightly ventricose ; _/Zorefs whitish or ochroleucous, 

 very slender and numerous. Fappus very white, of numerous fine and almost silky 

 bairs. Receptacle flat, roughish-dotted. 



Moist grounds, recent clearings, &c.: throughout the United States. Fl. July-August. 

 Fr. September. 



Ohs. This plant (which has much the aspect of a Sonchus, or Sow- 

 thistle) is remarkable for its pre- 

 valence in newly cleared grounds, 

 — especially in and around the 

 spots where brush-wood has been 

 burnt ; whence its common 

 name, "Fire-weed." It is a 

 coarse, worthless w^eed, and 

 often very abundaiil iu new 

 grounds ; but it is iiot apt to 

 be troublesome i\i cultivated 

 fields. 



hairs. 



22. SENE'CIO. i. 



SFL. 



Gj;ound- 



[Latin, Senex, an old man ; the pappus 

 resembling a white beard.] 



Heads many-flowered, — either 

 discoid with the florets all tu- 

 bular and perfect — or radiate 

 with the ray-florets pistillate. 

 Involucre subcylindric with tha 

 scales in a single series, or caly- 

 culate with a few accessory 

 scales. Receptacle w&kQ^. Akenes 

 not beaked nor winged— often 

 grooved or ribbed. Pappus of 

 numerous very slender caducous 

 Herbs with alternate leaves and solitary or corymbose heads. 



* Heads without rays; root annual. 



Fig. 128. The common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris). 129. A flower. 130. An akeno 



