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Descriptive Flora 



into fine linear segments like a fringe. Stem leaves curled, finely 

 divided, clasping the stalk at frequent intervals. Flowers compo- 

 site, white, less than y±' across, composed of 4 or 5 small, paper 

 white ray-flowers and few, tubular, yellowish-white disk corollas. 

 May and June. Railroad tracks and roadsides. Not common. 

 Named for Achilles, a hero of Homer's Iliad. The leaves, small 

 stems and flowers have stimulant tonic properties. 



Artemisia gnapfoatodes Nutt. Wormwood. Silverweed. 



Plants 1 to 2 feet high, easily noticed anywhere because of 

 the strong contrast between their silvery-grey leaves and stems 

 and the surrounding green foliage. Plants are simple stemmed 

 at the base, more or less branched above and usually grow in 

 small patches. Leaves simple, alternate, fairly numerous. Lower 

 leaf -blades 2 to 4y 2 " long, white-woolly beneath, less woolly and 

 greener above, cut almost to the midrib into 3 to 7 narrowly 

 oblong, entire lobes. Upper leaves less lobed, eventually linear 

 and entire. Flowers composite, inconspicuous, in small, close 

 clusters forming white woolly sprays at the end of the stem. 

 Blossoms in late summer and fall. Widespread but not common. 

 Named for Artemisia, the wife of Mausolus, king of Hallicarnasus 

 and builder of a famous tomb for himself and wife. 



Senecio obovatus Muhl. Ragwort. Squaw-weed. 



Plants with finely ridged, hollow, twisted, few-leaved stems, 

 12 to 18 inches high and yellow composite flowers in loose clusters 

 at the ends of the stems. Basal leaves simple, with blades broad- 

 ly oblong or variously cut, bluntly saw-toothed, sometimes seg- 

 mented, and narrowed into the long leaf stalks. Stem leaves far 

 apart, with blades deeply cut, clasping the stem. Flowers com- 

 posite, about V2" across, with deep yellow disk and 8 to 12 light 

 orange-yellow ray flowers about y± long. Roots fibrous. Bracts 

 of the involucre narrow, equal, united into a narrow cup with a 

 few short bracts at the base. Late February, March and April. 

 In shaded ravines and on limestone ledges. 



