Lance-leaved Golden-rod (Solidago graminifolia). 
This species differs greatly in appearance from the usual 
form of most of the Golden-rods. 
The stem is simple, angular and slightly rough; it 
ascends 2 to 5 feet and near the summit sends up many 
slender wiry, leafy branches supporting flat-topped flow¬ 
er clusters. The flowers are crowded closely together 
but are very small and rather dull-colored; they have 
12 to 20 minute rays. The leaves are small and nar¬ 
rowly lanceolate; they have three to five ribs and are 
toothless but have a rough edge. It blooms from August 
until October, very commonly from N. S. to Sask. and 
southwards to N. J. and Mo. 
Showy Golden-rod (Solidago speciosa) is a large 
species, from 3 to 7 feet tall, with a stout simple stem 
and a magnificent, bright golden-yellow, plume-like 
head; the flowers are comparatively large and have usu¬ 
ally five rays. Readily distinguished by its leaves, the 
lower ones rather large, contracting into a margined 
stem, gradually decreasing in size to small lance-shaped 
ones at the top of the stem. 
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