composite:. 135 
Loaves very variable both in breadth, shape, and depth of tooth- 
ing or incision, but generally with scarcely any tendency to become 
ruDcinate. Scapes generally decumbent at the base, then erect or 
ascending, longer than the leaves, 3 inches to 2 feet high, corym- 
bosely branched in large specimens, simple or with a single branch 
in small ones. Pericline oblong-turbinate in bud ; phyllaries varying 
from glabrous to densely woolly, the hairs sometimes olive, some- 
times nearly black. Achenes about J inch long, very little narrowed 
towards the tip, reddish-brown, slightly roughened with transverse 
ridges. Flowers bright-yellow, rather smaller than those of a 
dandelion. 
This plant bears much resemblance to Hypochceris radicata, but 
the leaves arc narrower, more pointed and more flaccid, generally 
smoother, and in the broader forms more deeply divided. The phyl- 
laries are less regularly imbricated and more acute, and there are 
no membranous pales on the receptacle. The fruit is very different, 
being destitute of the long beak, with which that of H. radicata is 
furnished. The ribs are much smoother, the transverse lines longer 
and not elevated into sharp points. The pappus is single or nearly 
so, and the stem and peduncles are more slender. 
Yar. 0, when growing in alpine situations, is generally mono- 
cephalous, has the wool on the pedicels and the pericline nearly 
black : in that state it presents considerable resemblance to some of 
the Hieracia, but when cultivated the stem branches. Every inter- 
mediate state between glabrous and hairy pericline and in the latter 
case between green and black wool may be met with. 
Autumnal Hawk-bit. 
French, Liondent iTAutomne. German, Herbst Luwenzahn. 
GENUS XXXIII - P I C R I S. Linn. 
Anthodes many-flowered. Pericline oblong-cylindrical, atte- 
nuated towards the apex (sometimes strangulated under the 
pappus after flowering), of 2 series of phyllaries ; those of the 
inner series equal, imbricated, those ' of the outer generally re- 
curved and irregular. Clinanth naked. Achenes prismatic-fusi- 
form, ribbed and transversely rugose. Pappus deciduous, of 
denticulated pure white silky hairs, united into a ring at the 
base, plumose, or the exterior ones simple ; secondary hairs not 
interwoven. 
Herbs, rough with hooked hairs, having branching leafy stems 
and undivided or pinnatitid leaves. Anthodes stalked. Plorcts 
yellow, the exterior ones often red on the back. 
The name of this genus of plants comes from niKjwc (/^ros), bitter, on account of 
the bitter taste of the species. 
