WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
Common Golden-rod. (Solidago Virgaurea, Linn.)— The only British species (as just 
described). The flower-heads in small, crowded clusters up the stem, forming a long terminal 
cluster, with the florets yellow, and the flower-bracts very narrow (linear), acute, and in many rows. 
The stem 1-3 feet high, erect, angular, roughish ; and the leaves simple, lance-shaped, usually 
entire, those of the stem stalkless (sessile), and those of the root (radical) stalked and toothed. 
Common on hills, banks, &c., especially on chalky soil. July — September. Perennial. [Plate 66. 
Var. cambrica, Huds. Similar to the Common Golden-rod, but having broader leaves, 
larger flower-heads, and stems only 2-8 inches high. 
BUR-MARIGOLD. (BIDENS, LINN.) — Flower-heads roundish, nearly solitary. Florets, the 
outer (ray) strap-shaped (ligulate), without stamens and without carpels (neuter), in 1 row, yellow, 
generally absent ; the inner (disk) tubular, perfect, yellow. Flower-bracts in 2 rows, the outer 
leafy and turned back, the inner membranous. Calyx-tube tipped with bristles ; petals 5, in the 
outer (ray) florets, united at the base and spreading into a flat, strap-shaped limb (ligulate) or 
absent, in the inner (disk) florets united into a tube and separating into 5 teeth (tubular) ; 
stamens 5, with united anthers, or o ; carpels 2 or o. Fruit a flattened, angular achene, 
the angles ending in 2-5 barbed bristles which represent the calyx-hairs. Herbs with opposite 
leaves. 
Nodding Bup-Marigold. (Bidens cernua, Linn.)— As just described. Flower-heads 
drooping, terminal, on long stalks, about 3 terminating the stem and branches, without any outer 
(ray) florets ; florets yellow. The outer row of flower-bracts leafy and spreading. Stem 1-2 feet 
high. Leaves smooth, undivided (simple), stalkless (sessile), strap-shaped, toothed (serrate). Fruit 
an achene, oblong, with 4 ribs, all or 3 of which terminate in stiff hooked bristles, which take firm 
hold of the coat of any animals that touch them and so distribute the seeds. 
Common in watery places. July — October. Annual. 
Var. Bidens radiata, Sond. With strap-shaped (ligulate) outer (ray) florets. 
Rare. 
Trifid Bur-Marigold. (Bidens tripartita, Linn.)— Very like the Nodding Bur-Marigold 
(Bidens cernua). Differing in having erect flower-heads, with the outer row of flower-bracts leafy 
and spreading, stalked leaves divided from the base into 3 stalked segments (palmate), the 
terminal segment being often deeply 3-cleft. Fruit as in the Nodding Bur-Marigold, but having 
only 2 or rarely 3 bristles. [ Plate 66. 
Common in watery places. July — September. Annual. 
GROUNDSEL, RAGWORT. (SENECIO, LINN.) — Flower-heads generally in terminal masses 
(corymbs). The outer (ray) florets strap-shaped, without stamens (female), yellow, orange, or 
purple, sometimes absent ; the inner (disk) tubular, perfect, yellow. Flower-bracts in 2 rows, 
the inner row being regular and longer, the outer shorter and irregular. Calyx-tube tipped with 
hairs ; petals 5, those of the outer florets united at the base and spreading into a strap-shaped limb 
(ligulate) or absent, those of the inner florets united into a tube and separating into 5 teeth 
(tubular) ; stamens 5, with united anthers, or o ; carpels 2, united ; fruit an achene crowned with 
several rows of soft calyx-hairs (pappus). Herbs or undershrubs with alternate leaves. 
Common Groundsel. (Senecio vulgaris, Linn.) — As just described. Heads in loose 
masses, slightly drooping, terminating the stem and branches. Florets, the outer (ray) absent or very 
short, yellow; those of the centre (disk) tubular, yellow. Flower-bracts, the outer very short, 
