a long slender point; the margin is notched, the ribs form a stout
netted framework, the texture is coarse, and the surface is roughened.
The leaves are set on very short stems, and arranged in whorls, of 3 to
6, about the stalk, at regular intervals. In color they are a strong
vigorous green, the ribs often tinged with purplish-pink.
The small tubular flowers, and projecting thread-like pistils, are,
in color, a light pinky purple; they are grouped in small heads,
whose cups, and short foot-stems, are of the same color. The heads
are arranged in thickly branching, large, more or less flat-topped,
terminal clusters.
Joe Pye is a striking plant, of vigorous growth, whose large whorls of
leaves are full of sweeping curves. Out of the sunlight and close at
hand the flowers seem a little dingy in color, but by the wayside it is
pleasing in tone. Why “Joe Pye”?
[Illustration: JOE PYE WEED: E. purpureum.]
*Common Thistle.* _Cnicus lanceolatus._
Found in pastures during July and August.
The branching, leafy stalk is 1 or 2 feet high; large, round, and
tough-fibred; covered with white wool. In color, green.
The leaf is long, and narrow, tapering to a long point, with a large,
stout, and curling midrib; the margin is deeply, and often cut, and
armed at every point by strong, stiff, thorn-like spines. The texture
is tough, and the upper surface is prickly, while the under is woolly
with web-like hairs. The leaf clasps the stalk, and hugs it for a full
inch or more before it springs away with a free curve; the lobes are
ruffled, and flaring, as they lie along the stalk. The arrangement is
alternate, and rather near together. The color is green, lighter at the
midrib.
The flowers are small and silky; in color a beautiful deep crimson,
tending toward violet. Many flowers are gathered into a large
round-topped head, that is held in an admirably shaped green cup, which
is protected by many, long, needle-pointed, white spines. One or two
flower-heads occur together on the summit of the stalk, or branch.
Their perfume is delicious.
This might well be named the Warrior Thistle, being armed _cap-a-pie_
for conflict with cows and boys, and nearly impregnable against them.
It loves to sit beside a boulder in the midst of cow-path, or bye-lane,
and defy intercourse with any, save the bumble-bees, who sleep upon the
silken flower o’ nights. Special observation should be given to the
classic vase-shape of the cup.
[Illustration: COMMON THISTLE: Cnicus lanceolatus.]
*Pasture Thistle.* _Cnicus pumilus._
*Bull Thistle.*
Found in dry pastures, uplands, roadsides, during July and August.
The erect, and somewhat branching, stalk varies from 1 to 3 feet in
height; it is sparingly leafy, very large, and stout of fibre, and
round; hairy to the touch. Color, green.
The leaf is long, and narrow, with a stout midrib; the margin is
cut frequently but not deeply, each joint being tipped with a spine
that is not so long as those of the Common Thistle; the texture is
strong-fibred, the upper surface rather smooth, the underside covered
with cobwebby hairs. The color, green. The leaf somewhat clasps the
stalk; and the arrangment is alternate, at some distance apart.
The silky flowers are crimson-purple, less strong in tone than the
Common Thistle; spreading softly, in a large, rounded, downy head, from
the large cup. The cup is a fine urn-shape, closely covered with short
prickles; green in color; with a few small leaves at the base. One to
three flower heads rise from the summit of the stalk, or branches.
Larger (the flower-head is often nearly two inches across), but less
ferociously equipped than the Warrior Thistle, this carries a sweeter
perfume, and is the beloved of the bees. Especially is the flower-head
lovely in color.
[Illustration: PASTURE THISTLE: C. pumilus.]
*Canada Thistle.* _Cnicus arvensis._
Found, during July and August, in lanes and fields.
The stalk is branching, and leafy, and from 2 to 3 feet in height; it
is large, tough in fibre, and grooved. Its color is grayish-green.
The leaf is narrow, and sharp-pointed, the margin deeply notched, and
much ruffled, and bristling in all directions and from every notch with
short, sharp spines; the strong midrib is lighter in color than the
grayish-green leaf. The leaves, set immediately upon the stalk, are
alternately placed.
The small tubular flowers are 5-pointed, and the thread-like stamens
and pistils are prominent; their color is lavender, while the stamens
and pistils are white. They are gathered into tufted heads, enclosed in
a gray-green vase-shaped cup, that is protected by short weak prickles;
they grow in loose, branching clusters on the top of the plant.
This Thistle grows in great communities, spreading rapidly, and justly
considered a pest by the farmer. The mass of its lavender colored bloom
in its prime is pleasing to the eye, but later it develops an unkempt
and weedy aspect, more befitting its character of an unwelcome tramp.
Its flowers are sweet scented, and much sought by bees and butterflies.
[Illustration: CANADA THISTLE: C. arvensis.]
*Spiny-leaved Sow Thistle.* _Sonchus asper._
Found in cultivated fields, and along roadsides, in August.
The stalk is either simple, or branching near the top, from 2 to 3 or
4 feet high, large, round, and very hollow like a tube, and juicy; it
is grooved, and smooth to the touch. The color is green, sometimes
streaked with red near the foot.
The leaf is very long (sometimes 10 inches), lance-shaped with a
tapering point, and noticeable rounded wing-like bases; the margin is
deeply and irregularly toothed, and the edge is rolled under, thus
making the teeth sharp-pointed, and stiff, like little spines; the
midrib is prominent beneath, wide, flat, and pale above; underneath
many veins show; the texture is thin, and the surface is smooth. The
upper side is a cool clear green, the underside silvery, with a pale
bloom. It is clasping, the prolonged bases flaring like wings on either
side of the stalk.
The flowers are tiny and downy; light yellow in color; gathered in a
flat-topped head (which is less than an inch across), enclosed in a
small vase-shaped, green, and leafy cup. The heads are set on slender
stems, in loose terminal groups, or singly on short leafy stems from
the angles of the leaves; at the junction of these foot-stems small,
oval leaves occur.
Nothing could be more suggestive of decorative design than the fine
arch and spring of this leaf, with its ornamental winged clasps;
and its refinement of color is an added excellence. The highly
inappropriate folk-name (it is said to be a favorite article of diet
among the English swine) should be abolished, and the plant called
instead The Gothic Thistle in memory of a school who could appreciate
its sculptural significance better than the moderns.
[Illustration: SPINY-LEAVED SOW THISTLE: Sonchus asper.]
*Common Sow Thistle.* _Sonchus oleraceus._
Found in fields, and cultivated lands in August.
The stalk varies in height from 1 to 4 feet; it is single, and leafy,
somewhat twisting, tougher in fibre than _S. asper_, hollow, with a
milky juice, and smooth. Color, a cool green.
The curiously cut leaf (about 6 inches long) is divided into a large
triangular tip, a pair of acute-angled flaring side divisions, and
narrow long-pointed bases which project like sharp-pointed wings beyond
the stalk they clasp. Occasional leaves are not cut, and are merely
lance-shaped. The midrib is flat above, and round beneath; the margin
is toothed, with fine, weak spines; the texture is firm, and the
surface is smooth and shining. Color, a fine cool green, the underside
silvery with bloom. The arrangement is alternate.
The flowers are similar in color, size, and arrangement to _S. asper_.
The foot-stems are sometimes bristly with short hairs, and at their
junction occurs a long-pointed, small leaf, whose margin is entire.
Below the flower-cluster the stalk is bare for a considerable space;
single flower-heads spring from the angles of the leaves the greater
part of its height.
The immature flower-heads are wrapped in a woolly blanket. The leaf
is something like a Dandelion’s in shape, and interesting from a
decorative point of view. These plants are said to be common to many
countries,--Europe, Africa, and New Zealand. In the last-named region
an old traveller says the parrots “of beauteous dyes, but odious
accents” feed upon it.
[Illustration: COMMON SOW THISTLE: S. oleraceus.]
*Chicory.* _Cichorium Intybus._
*Succory.*
*Blue Sailors.*
Found, from July to September, growing in dry waste places.
The stalk, which varies from 2 to 4 feet in height, is branching, and
leafy, rather large, stout and tough of fibre, and rigid in growth; it
is grooved and hairy. The color is gray-green.
The leaf is not large, oblong in shape, with a sharp tip; the margin
is slightly notched, with spreading hairs along the edge; the midrib
is strong and the surface is hairy; the gesture curving, or wavy. In
color, gray-green. The lower leaves are sharply cut at the base. The
arrangement is alternate, and the leaves clasp the stalk.
The flower is “strap-shaped,” rather broad, with a finely notched lip;
the texture is very fine and thin, and the surface is shining and
smooth. The color is an exquisite gray-blue or lavender, sometimes
inclining to lilac, or even to pink. The flowers are arranged in heads,
composed of several rows, spreading from a leafy green cup, which is
closely surrounded by 4 or 6 little leaves (or “bracts”): all these
parts being hairy. The heads are set close to the stalk in groups of
twos and threes, in the angles of leaves, or singly on short stout
stems.
These charmingly colored blossoms are scattered all along the stalks
and branches, beginning near the foot, where they first open, not more
than a few being in perfection at once. This scantiness of bloom and
the stiff weediness of its growth make the Chicory plant less loved
than it deserves for the peculiar beauty of its blue flowers. It grows
most profusely near the seaboard, and in vacant city lots or neglected
door-yards it bravely tries to hide the ugly remnants of civilization
thrown aside by man.
[Illustration: CHICORY: Cichorium Intybus.]
*Burdock.* _Arctium Lappa._
Found, during August and September, along roads and in barren fields.
The stalk branches much, and is very leafy, with a bushy habit of
growth, between 2 and 4 feet in height; it is large, stout-fibred,
round, grooved, and rough to the touch. The color is light green,
showing the red-purple tints of the flowers in streaks, especially at
the junction of the stems.
The leaf is very large; the foot-leaves (often over 12 inches long) are
rudely heart-shaped, and much puckered or fulled on the midrib, the
upper leaves are smaller, and oval; the ribs show underneath in bold
relief, the veins being like a strong network; the margin is entire,
the texture coarse, and the surface rough. The color is gray-green,
lighter underneath, while the midrib is pink above, and paler beneath.
The leaves are set on stout, trough-like, reddish stems, which clasp
the stalk; the arrangement is alternate.
The flower is very small and silky, crowded into a soft tuft, enclosed
in an urn-shaped burr, which is armed with row upon row of sharp
out-spreading spines, long, hooked, and sticky. The color of the heads
varies, from nearly white, to a deep rose-purple, or blue-purple; the
burr is green, or purple. The heads are set on short stems in irregular
terminal groups, or on the short branches.
As the flowers mature thread-like white pistils push forth; they open
first on the rim of the head. Ranking a pest among flowers, the Burdock
is loved by children for its sticky burrs from which they fashion
variegated toys. Designers would do well to study its bold finely
arching leaves. “So if you please we will take a leaf of burdock,
the principal business of that plant being clearly to grow leaves,
wherewith to adorn foregrounds.”---Ruskin.
[Illustration: BURDOCK: Arctium Lappa.]
*Elecampane.* _Inula Helenium._
Found along roadsides in August.
Growing to the good height of 5 feet sometimes, this very large, and
stout stalk is single and leafy, tough-fibred, but smooth to the touch.
Colored green, with a beautiful purple-gray bloom.
The leaf is large; its heart-shaped base has prolonged points, and its
tip tapers very much; the margin is irregularly scalloped, its ribs
are many and strong, the midrib being large and prominent beneath, and
so taut it puckers and pulls the blade; the texture is thick, and the
underside is slightly woolly. The root-leaves are oval, and on long
stems; the upper leaves are clasping, and alternately placed. Their
color is a strong grayish-green, of a peculiarly fine, cool quality.
The flowers are small, and yellow, soon turning to tawny. They are set
in a large disc, surrounded by many, narrow, bright yellow rays. The
cup which holds the head is shallow and composed of many broad, curling
or wavy, light green parts, which overlap each other in several rows;
close beneath the cup occurs a small leaf. The head is set on a stem
which bears a single leaf midway its length; two or three flower-heads
are grouped together; they are placed terminally, and in the angles of
the upper leaves.
Growing in large settlements, by the stone wall or Virginia-rail fence,
Elecampane commands attention by its splendid vigor of growth, and the
free curves of its fine leafage. In color too, it is highly suggestive
of decorative purposes, for the excellence of its green, and the
plum-gray bloom upon its stout stalk.
[Illustration: ELECAMPANE: Inula Helenium.]
*Life Everlasting.* _Anaphalis margaritacea._
*Pearly Everlasting.*
*Moonshine (Vt.)*
Found in July, August, and September, in roadside tangles, dry pastures
and uplands.
The stalk which varies from 12 to 18 inches in height is branching, and
leafy, round, woody-fibred, and covered with silky wool. Of a light
green color, much modified by the gray-white wool, which is often
tinged with brown near the ground.
The leaf is very long and narrow, with a pointed tip, the midrib is
noticeably strong, and the margin entire; it is soft and agreeable to
the touch, because of the silky wool which covers both upper and lower
surfaces, and tempers its color to a light gray-green, somewhat darker
than the stalk. The arrangement is clasping, alternate, and frequent.
The flower is very small and fuzzy; yellow, or tawny-brown, according
to the stage of its maturity; it is arranged in small tufts, enclosed
by many rows of tiny, dry, gray-white sheath-like husks, that enfold
and guard it closely. The head is set on a short, downy, white
foot-stem. Several (4 to 12) heads are gathered together upon a longer
stem, and a few, or many, of these groups are arranged in a loose
terminal cluster. Sometimes these clusters are very large,--measuring
6, or even 8 inches across.
A peculiar dry odorousness pervades the blossoms, and forms an
essential feature of the charm this Everlasting possesses for its
friends, a charm as undefinable as that which abides in the New England
pastures, where it loves to dwell in thrifty fellowship with the
Hardhack and Huckleberry bushes.
[Illustration: LIFE EVERLASTING: Anaphalis margaritacea.]
*Everlasting.* _Gnaphalium polycephalum._
*Cudweed.*
Found in August and September, in dry fields, and open roadsides.
The stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet in height; it branches near the top,
and is leafy all the way, of a stiff fibre, with a woolly surface. The
color is green, the wool whitish.
The leaf is long, and narrow, with a strong midrib, and entire, or
slightly irregular, margin; the under surface is woolly. In color
gray-green, whitish underneath, because of the wool. The arrangement is
clasping, and slightly hugging the stalk; alternate.
The tubular flower is small, and gathered into a close tuft; of a dull,
light, tawny color, which turns darker with age. The tufted head is
held tightly within a deep cup, composed of many shining white sheaths.
The heads are set on foot-stems, in groups of 2 to 8, and arranged in
terminal clusters.
When the ripened downy seed is ready to fly away, the closely folded
little cups open wide. A full pleasant fragrance belongs to the
blossoms.
[Illustration: EVERLASTING: Gnaphalium polycephalum.]
*Yarrow.* _Achillea Millefolium._
*Milfoil.*
Found from July to September, in dry fields and roadsides.
The stalk, which is very erect in bearing, grows to be about 2 feet
high usually; it is single, or branches near the top, and leafy; of a
stout fibre difficult to pluck, round and grooved, and covered with
wool which causes the green color to look whitish.
The leaf is long and narrow, deeply and finely cut into slender
line-like divisions, these being also cleft 3 or 5 times which gives
it a fringy appearance; with a strong midrib, and covered with white
wool on the underside. The color is gray-green. It is clasping, and the
arrangement is alternate, and often crowded into little tufts along the
stems.
The flower is very small; pale brown, or bright cheese-colored yellow;
crowded into a small thimble-topped head, and surrounded by 3 to 5
small, oblong, white rays, with finely notched tips. The head is held
in a deep, pale green, or nearly white, cup, and set on a slender,
leafy, white, or pale green stem. The heads are arranged in terminal
clusters.
Generally the flower-cluster is noticeably flat-topped, even the small
groups of the side branches strive to reach a uniform level with the
central cluster. A friar-like gravity of hue shows this plant to be a
typical New Englander, thriving with sturdy content on sterile soil,
and sending forth a wholesome aromatic odor. In certain localities the
rays are tinted pink, almost crimson.
[Illustration: YARROW: Achillea Millefolium.]
*White Lettuce.* _Prenanthes alba._
*Rattlesnake-root.*
Found on the borders of rich woods in August and September.
The erect stalk, from 2 to 4 feet high, branches near the summit, and
is leafy all the way; it is large, round, and smooth. Color, green, or
frequently a dark, rich, purplish-red, with a bloom upon it.
The leaves are variable in shape and size; the root-leaves are large,
often and deeply cleft, and set on a 3- to 5-inch stem; the lower
leaves of the stalk are broad, faintly notched or 3-cleft; while the
upper leaves are long and narrow, with entire margins. Their texture is
thin (when dried, like paper in quality), and their surface smooth. In
color, a dark cool green.
The flower-head is composed of 8 or 12 small “strap-shaped” blossoms
hanging from a cup; they are cream colored, tinged with lilac; the cup
is composed of 8 narrow, pinkish-gray parts; the stamens are noticeable
because their tips split and curl spirally,--they are cream colored
also. A few small bracts occur at the base of the flower-head, which
droops on a small stem. The heads are arranged in little clusters
springing from the angles of the branches and leaves.
As the flower-head matures, there may be found within its nodding
cup a bunch of fine reddish hairs, like a sable paint brush,--later
this opens into a downy seed tassel. The fine stalk gives the plant a
distinguished appearance.
[Illustration: WHITE LETTUCE: Prenanthes alba.]
*Rattlesnake-root.* _Prenanthes altissima._
Found during August and September on the edge of dark woods, and in
damp places, that are shaded.
The stalk, often about 3 feet high, sometimes attains to more than
man’s stature; it is very erect, branches only for flowers, is leafy,
round, firm-fibred, and smooth. Green in color.
The root-leaves are large (2 or 3 inches in length), wedge-shaped,
or 3- to 5-divided; the upper leaves are smaller, varying from a
wedge or heart-shape to a long-pointed oval. They all have entire, or
faintly notched margins, and the midribs, shining above, are rough
beneath. They are set on stems, which are sometimes provided with
narrow spreading margins; the arrangement is alternate, with a certain
interval between.
The flower is small, “strap-shaped,” with a square notched tip;
cream-white in color. 5 or 6 are included in a tubular cup, composed
of a close-folded row of narrow, green or purplish, pale, leafy parts;
these cups are set nodding on slight foot-stems, and arranged in small
irregular groups, on short branches, which form a long, irregularly
arranged terminal spike.
The blossoms are so small they are quite out of proportion to the
height and strength of the stalk; their habit is scattering, and only a
few heads open at the same time. The plant is most effective when all
its stiff little downy seeds are spreading themselves for flight.
[Illustration: RATTLESNAKE-ROOT: P. altissima.]
*Bur Marigold.* _Bidens cernua._
Found through August and September in swampy grounds. It is very
common, and grows from 1 to 5 feet in height.
The stalk is leafy and branching, large and tough-fibred, smooth, but
grooved from the joints. The color is light yellow-green.
The long leaf is narrow, and tapering to a slender point; it is
somewhat fulled upon the taut midrib, and the margin is irregularly
notched, while the surface is smooth. The color is a strong
yellow-green, lighter on the wide midrib. The leaves are opposite each
other, and partly grown together about the stalk.
The small, tubular disc flower is dull tawny in color; the rays,
usually 8 in number, are broad, and of a bright golden-yellow color.
The large flower-heads are encircled by two rows of green, or greenish,
bracts, the outer row being slightly twisted; they are somewhat nodding
on short stems of equal length, and spring from the angles of the
leaves.
The seed, armed with 4 stout prongs, and plentifully set with
backward-pointing bristles, is familiarly known as “beggars’ tick” or
“stick-tight,”--it never loses a chance to catch a ride on the clothes
of the unwary passer-by. Its smooth grooved stem, swelling at the
joint, is an interesting feature of this otherwise rather coarse plant.
[Illustration: BUR MARIGOLD: Bidens cernua.]
*Rayless Marigold.* _Bidens frondosa._
Found in August and September, lying in wait for travellers along
roadside ditches and in wet fields.
The stalk, which grows any height from 2 to 6 feet, bears branches in
pairs; is very leafy, and stout, round, coarse-fibred, and slightly
shining. In color, purplish green.
The leaf is divided into 3 or 5 lance-shaped parts; the margin is
toothed, and the texture is coarse; it is set on short, ribbed-stems,
and springs from a noticeable joint, in pairs, at regular intervals
along the stalk, and branches. It is dull green in color.
The flowers are very small, and ragged, of a dull tawny orange; they
are crumpled tightly into a flat head, and sometimes partly surrounded
by 1 to 3 inconspicuous, little, dull yellow, rays. The head is
encircled by small, narrow, green, leaf-like parts of irregular
lengths; it is set on a short green stem. Two or three heads are
gathered in a terminal group.
The cup-like joint of the leaf-stems is worth careful consideration, it
is so neatly finished. The seed is dark and shining, and oppressively
civil in its attentions to heedless wayfarers.
[Illustration: RAYLESS MARIGOLD: B. frondosa.]
*Wild Sunflower.* _Helianthus tuberosus._
*Jerusalem Artichoke.*
Found through September and October, in cultivated fields, and along
thicket borders.
The stalk branches for flowers near the top; it is leafy, large, from
3 to 7 or 8 feet, very stout, and rough with short hairs. Its color is
light green.
The leaf is large, and oval, with a pointed tip and widest at the base,
where it tapers into a short stem; the margin is somewhat obscurely
notched, the texture is coarse, showing 3 strong ribs, and the surface
is rough. The color is a full, strong green. In growth, the leaves are
generally opposite, though the upper leaves are often alternate.