COMPOSITE FAMILY 
( Composite) 
(A) Tall Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa ) is a tall, 
handsome perennial that grows in dry situations and 
attains heights of 2 to 6 feet. A long spike containing 
numerous, quite large, flower heads adorns the top of 
the stem. These heads, which are about % in. in diam¬ 
eter, have a very disheveled appearance for the magenta- 
purple rays emerge in all directions; they are contained 
in a large imbricated involucre. The leaves are stiff, 
lanceolate, and closely alternated along the stem. It is 
found from Me. to Mich, and southwards. 
(B) Ironweed (Veronia novel oracensis) is a tall (3 
to 7 feet) and smooth-stemmed member of the Com¬ 
posite Family. The alternating leaves are lanceolate 
and finely toothed. The flower heads are grouped in 
flat-topped clusters. The rays are slender and very 
numerous, giving the heads the appearance of little 
thistles. This species blooms in August and September, 
at which season it is one of the characteristic plants 
in moist ground near the seashore. 
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