BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
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GENUS X. 
THE CUDWEED. (Gnaphalium, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. SYNGENESIA SUPERFLUA. 
Generic Character _Involucre imbricated, with (often) coloured, membranous scales. Receptacle naked. Florets of tbe circumference 
subulate; some of tbe centre occasionally abortive. Pappus rough or feathery. {Hooker.) 
Description, &c.—This genus consists of ten or twelve species, which some botanists divide into three 
genera ; Antennaria and Filago being the names of the other two. The species are nearly all insignificant 
weeds; the common Everlasting (G. margaritaceum) being the only one that is at all ornamental. The name 
of Gnaphalium is derived from a Greek word signifying soft down or wool, in allusion to the down which 
covers the leaves and stem of this plant. This genus is in the same Linmean class and order as the 
preceding one. 
GENUS XI. 
THE RAGWORT. (Senecio, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. SYNGENESIA SUPERFLUA. 
Generic Character. —Involucrum with bracteola at the base ; the scales scorched at the apex. Flowers either flosculous or radiant. 
Receptacle naked. Pappus soft, hairy. {Dec.) 
Description, &c. —There are numerous species in this genus, some of which are highly ornamental, though 
all of them are generally considered by the farmer and gardener to be very troublesome weeds. The name of 
Senecio signifies old man ; and it is applied to this genus from the bald appearance of the receptacle when the 
florets have fallen. The genus is in the same Linnsean class and order as Gnaphalium. 
1.—THE COMMON GROUNDSEL. (Senecio vulgaris, Lin.) 
Synonyme. —Simpson. Specific Character. — Heads dispersed, without rays. Leaves 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 747 ; 2nd ed., t. 1151. pinnatifid, toothed, obtuse, smoothish; clasping at the base. {Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —This is perhaps the commonest of all weeds, and it is certainly the dread of all 
gardeners; as where it has once established itself it can scarcely be eradicated, the seeds are so abundant and 
the flowers so numerous. It affoi’ds, however, provision to a multitude of small birds, who derive sus¬ 
tenance from the flower buds, and points of the young shoots. It is an annual, and the flowers are produced 
all the year. 
2.— THE COMMON RAGWORT. (Senecio Jacobs, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1130 ; 2nd ed., t. 1157. I doubly pinnatifid, somewhat lyrate, with spreading, toothed, smooth 
Specific Character. —Rays spreading, oblong, toothed. Leaves | segments. Stem erect. Fruit of the disk silky. {Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —This plant is particularly abundant in neglected corn-fields in Scotland, where its bright 
golden-yellow flowers catch the eye of every traveller, and are sometimes so abundant as to create a doubt 
whether they are not the crop intended to grow in the field. The plant will only grow in dry soils. It is a 
perennial, and flowers in July and August. 
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