NAT. ORDER. 
Composit(E. 
ASTER AMELLUS. ITALIAN ASTER. 
Oass XIX. Syngenesia. Order II. Polygamia Superplua. 
Gm. Char. Calyx imbricate, with the lower scales often spreading. 
Florets, of the ray generally more than ten, rarely less, and not 
yellow. Receptacle, naked. Pappus, simple. 
Spe. Char. Leaves, oval-lanceolate, acute, serrate, triply nerved ; 
the lower ones attenuate at the base ; upper entire. Scales of the 
calyx oval, obtuse, oppressed, slightly reflexed at the summit. 
The Italian Aster sends up quite a number of stems, all proceeding 
from one root, each stem branching near the top into eight or ten 
peduncles, and each peduncle terminated by a single large, blueish- 
purple flower ; having blue rays and a yellow disk. The name given 
to this genus is Starwort, in reference to a star, in allusion to the 
numerous rays or petals of this genus around the circumference 
resembling a star. It is a very extensive genus, mostly natives of 
North America. The species are quite variable in size, rising from 
eight or ten inches to as many feet in height. In some parts of Eng- 
land they are extensively cultivated, where they are called Christ- 
mas Daises, in allusion to their late flowering; but in this country 
they bloom much earlier. They vary much in their colors : some 
are purple, red, blue, white, lilac, &c. They are to be found in every 
part of the New England States by the road-sides, in the open fields, 
and in woods. 
In England and France, and many parts of other eastern countries, 
many of the species are cultivated both as an ornament and for eco- 
nomical purposes. A few of the sorts mostly sought for are here 
introduced, leaving many others equally as valuable and deserving 
the attention of the gardener, with their numerous varieties. 
Vol. iv.— 83 
