192 



WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



1. E. hieracifo'lia, -Ra/. 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 Brechthites. Firc-wecd. 



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

 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 ; florets whitish or ochroleucous, 

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

 hairs. 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 weed, and 

 often very abundant in new 

 grounds ; but it is not apt to 

 be troublesome in cultivated 

 fields. 



22. SENE'CIO, L. Ground- 

 sel. 



[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 the 

 scales in a single series, or caly- 

 culate with a few accessory 

 scales. Receptacle wdkedi. Akencs 

 not beaked nor winged — often 

 grooved or ribbed. Pappus of 

 numerous very slender caducous 

 hairs. Herhs wi li alternate haves and solitary or corymbose heads. 



* Heads without rays; root annual. 



Fig. 128. The common Groundsel (Senccio vulgaris). 129. A flower. 130. An akene 



