12. E. perfoliàtum, L. (Thoroughwort. Boneset.) Stem stout (2–4° high), hairy; leaves lanceolate, united at the base around the stem (connate-perfoliate), tapering to a slender point, serrate, very veiny, wrinkled, downy beneath (5–8´ long); scales of the involucre linear-lanceolate.—Low grounds; common and well-known.—Varies with the heads 30–40-flowered, or with some or all of the leaves separated and truncate at base.

Var. cuneàtum, Engelm. Leaves smaller, narrowed at base and separate, and heads fewer-flowered. Perhaps a hybrid with n. 7.—Mo. and southward.

13. E. resinòsum, Torr. Minutely velvety-downy (2–3° high); leaves linear-lanceolate, elongated, serrate, partly clasping, tapering to the point, slightly veiny beneath (4–6´ long); scales of the involucre oval, obtuse.—Wet pine barrens, N. J.—Name from the copious resinous globules of the leaves.

[*][*][*] Heads 8–30-flowered; involucral scales nearly equal, in one row; leaves opposite, ovate, petioled, triple-nerved, not resinous-dotted; flowers white.

14. E. ageratoìdes, L. (White Snake-root.) Smooth, branching (3° high); leaves broadly ovate, pointed, coarsely and sharply toothed, long-petioled, thin (3–5´ long); corymbs compound.—Rich woods; common northward.

15. E. aromáticum, L. Smooth or slightly downy; stems nearly simple; leaves on short petioles, ovate, rather obtusely toothed, not pointed, thickish.—Copses, Mass. to Va., and southward, near the coast.—Lower and more slender than n. 14, with fewer, but usually larger heads; not aromatic.

§ 2. CONOCLÍNIUM. Receptacle conical; involucral scales nearly equal, somewhat imbricated.

16. E. cœlestìnum, L. (Mist-flower.) Somewhat pubescent (1–2° high), leaves opposite, petiolate, triangular-ovate and slightly heart-shaped, coarsely and bluntly toothed; heads many-flowered, in compact cymes; flowers blue or violet. (Conoclinium cœlestinum, DC.)—Rich soil, N. J. to Mich., Ill., and southward. Sept.

6. KÙHNIA, L.

Heads discoid, 10–25-flowered; flowers perfect. Involucral scales thin, few and loosely imbricated, narrow, striate-nerved. Corolla slender, 5-toothed. Achenes cylindrical, 10-striate; pappus a single row of very plumose (white) bristles.—A perennial herb, resinous-dotted, with mostly alternate leaves, and paniculate-corymbose heads of cream-colored flowers. (Dedicated to Dr. Kuhn, of Pennsylvania, who carried the living plant to Linnæus.)

1. K. eupatorioìdes, L. Stems 2–3° high; pubescence minute; leaves varying from broadly lanceolate and toothed, to linear and entire.—Dry soil, N. J. to Minn., E. Kan., and southward. Sept. Very variable.—Var. corymbulòsa, Torr. & Gray, is a western form, stouter and somewhat more pubescent, the heads rather crowded.

7. BRICKÉLLIA, Ell.

1. B. grandiflòra, Nutt. Nearly glabrous, 2–3° high; leaves deltoid, cordate, the upper deltoid-lanceolate, coarsely dentate-serrate, acuminate, 4´ long or less; heads about 40-flowered.—Shannon Co., Mo. (Bush), Kan. to Col., New Mex., and westward.

8. LIÀTRIS, Schreb. Button Snakeroot. Blazing-Star.

Head discoid, few–many-flowered; flowers perfect. Involucral scales well imbricated, appressed. Receptacle naked. Corolla 5-lobed, the lobes long and slender. Achenes slender, tapering to the base, 10-ribbed. Pappus of 15–40 capillary bristles, manifestly plumose or only barbellate.—Perennial herbs, often resinous-dotted, with simple stems from a roundish corm or tuber, rigid alternate narrow entire leaves (sometimes twisted so as to become vertical), and spicate or racemed heads of handsome rose-purple flowers, appearing late in summer or in autumn. (Derivation of the name unknown.)

[*] Pappus very plumose; scales of the 5-flowered involucre with ovate or lanceolate spreading petal-like (purple or sometimes white) tips, exceeding the flowers.

1. L. élegans, Willd. Stem (2–3° high) and involucre hairy; leaves linear, short and spreading; spike or raceme compact (3–20´ long).—Barren soil, Va. and southward.

[*][*] Pappus very plumose; scales of the cylindrical many-flowered involucre imbricated in many rows, the tips rigid, not petal-like; corolla-lobes hairy within.

2. L. squarròsa, Willd. (Blazing-Star, etc.) Often hairy (6´–2° high); leaves rigid, linear, elongated; heads usually few (1´ long); scales mostly with elongated and leaf-like spreading tips.—Dry soil, Penn. to Minn., and southward.—Var. intermèdia, DC. Heads narrow; scales shorter, erect or nearly so.—Ont. to Neb. and Tex.

3. L. cylindràcea, Michx. Commonly smooth (6–18´ high); leaves linear; heads few (½–{2/3}´ long); scales with short and rounded abruptly mucronate appressed tips.—Dry open places, Niagara Falls to Minn. and Mo.

[*][*][*] Pappus very plumose; heads 4–6-flowered; scales acuminate; corolla-lobes naked.

4. L. punctàta, Hook. Stout (10–30´ high), from a branching or globose rootstock; leaves narrowly linear or the upper acerose, rigid; heads usually many in a dense spike.—Minn. to Kan., and southward.

[*][*][*][*] Pappus not obviously plumose to the naked eye; corolla-lobes smooth inside.

5. L. scariòsa, Willd. Stem stout (2–5° high), pubescent or hoary; leaves (smooth, rough, or pubescent) lanceolate; the lowest oblong-lanceolate or obovate-oblong, tapering into a petiole; heads few or many, large, 25–40-flowered; scales of the broad or depressed involucre obovate or spatulate, very numerous, with dry and scarious often colored tips or margins.—Dry soil, New Eng. to Minn., and southward.—Widely variable; heads 1´ or less in diameter.

7. L. spicàta, Willd. Smooth or somewhat hairy; stems very leafy, stout (2–5° high); leaves linear, the lower 3–5-nerved; heads 8–12-flowered ({1/3}–½´ long), crowded in a long spike; scales of the cylindrical-bell-shaped involucre oblong or oval, obtuse, appressed, with slight margins; achenes pubescent or smoothish.—Moist grounds; common from Mass. to Minn., and southward.—Involucre often resinous, very smooth.

Var. montàna, Gray. Low and stout; leaves broader, obtuse; spike short and heads large.—Mountain-tops, Va., and southward.

8. L. graminifòlia, Willd. Hairy or smoothish; stem (1–3° high) slender, leafy; leaves linear, elongated, 1-nerved; heads several or numerous, in a spike or raceme, 7–12-flowered; scales of the obconical or obovoid involucre spatulate or oblong, obtuse, or somewhat pointed, rigid, appressed; achenes hairy.—Va. and southward.—Inflorescence sometimes panicled, especially in

Var. dùbia, Gray. Scales of the involucre narrower and less rigid, oblong, often ciliate.—Wet pine barrens, N. J., and southward.

9. TRÍLISA, Cass.

Heads discoid, 5–10-flowered; flowers perfect. Involucral scales nearly equal, little imbricated. Receptacle naked. Corolla-lobes short-ovate or oblong. Achenes 10-ribbed; pappus of rather rigid bristles, not plumose.—Perennial herbs, fibrous-rooted, with broad entire leaves, obscurely or not at all punctate, and cymules of small heads in a thyrse or panicle. Flowers rose-purple, in autumn. (Name an anagram of Liatris.)

1. T. odoratíssima, Cass. (Vanilla-plant.) Very smooth; leaves pale, thickish, obovate-spatulate, or the upper oval and clasping; heads corymbed. (Liatris odoratissima, Willd.)—Low pine barrens, Va., and southward.—Leaves exhaling the odor of Vanilla when bruised.

2. T. paniculàta, Cass. Viscid-hairy; leaves narrowly oblong or lanceolate, smoothish, those of the stem partly clasping, heads panicled. (Liatris paniculata, Willd.)—Va. and southward.

10. GUTIERRÈZIA, Lag.

Heads few–several-flowered, radiate; rays 1–6, pistillate. Involucre oblong-clavate; scales coriaceous with green tips, closely imbricated, the outer shorter. Receptacle small, naked. Achenes short, terete; pappus of about 9 chaffy scales, shorter in the ray-flowers.—Suffrutescent (our species), glabrous and often glutinous, much branched, with narrowly linear entire alternate leaves, and small heads of yellow flowers in fastigiate or paniculate cymes. (From Gutierrez, a noble Spanish family.)

1. G. Euthámiæ, Torr. & Gray. Low; leaves numerous, 1–2´ long; heads usually crowded, the disk- and short ray-flowers usually 3 or 4 each.—Dry plains, Mont. and Minn. to central Kan., southward and westward.

11. AMPHIÁCHYRIS, Nutt.

1. A. dracunculoìdes, Nutt. Rather low, slender; leaves narrowly linear, the upper filiform; disk-flowers 10–20, their pappus of 5–8 bristle-like chaff united at base and slightly dilated upward.—Plains, Kan. and southward.

12. GRINDÈLIA, Willd.

Heads many-flowered, radiate (or rayless); ray pistillate. Scales of the hemispherical involucre imbricated in several series, with slender more or less spreading green tips. Achenes short and thick, compressed or turgid, truncate, glabrous; pappus of 2–8 caducous awns. Coarse perennial or biennial herbs, often resinous-viscid, ours glabrous and leafy with sessile or clasping alternate and spinulose-serrate or laciniate rigid leaves, and large heads terminating leafy branches. Disk and ray yellow. (Prof. Grindel, a Russian botanist.)

1. G. squarròsa, Dunal. Leaves spatulate- to linear-oblong; involucre squarrose; achenes not toothed; pappus-awns 2 or 3.—Prairies, Minn., southward and westward; Evanston, Ill.—Var. nùda, Gray. Rays wanting. About St. Louis and westward.

2. G. lanceolàta, Nutt. Leaves lanceolate or linear; involucral scales erect or the lower tips spreading; achenes with 1 or 2 short teeth at the summit; awns 2.—Prairies, eastern Kan. to Ark., and southward.

13. HETEROTHÈCA, Cass.

Characters as in Chrysopsis, but the achenes of the ray thickish or triangular, without pappus or obscurely crowned, and those of the disk compressed, with a double pappus, the inner of numerous long bristles, the outer of many short and stout bristles.—(From ἕτερος, different, and θήκη, case, alluding to the unlike achenes.)

1. H. Lamárckii, Cass. Annual or biennial, 1–3° high, bearing numerous small heads; leaves oval or oblong, the lower with petioles auricled at base, the upper mostly subcordate-clasping.—S. E. Kan., and southward.

14. CHRYSÓPSIS, Nutt. Golden Aster.

Heads many-flowered, radiate; the rays numerous, pistillate. Involucral scales linear, imbricated, without herbaceous tips. Receptacle flat. Achenes obovate or linear-oblong, flattened, hairy; pappus in all the flowers double, the outer of very short and somewhat chaffy bristles, the inner of long capillary bristles.—Chiefly perennial, low herbs, woolly or hairy, with rather large often corymbose heads terminating the branches. Disk and ray-flowers yellow. (Name composed of χρυσός, gold, and ὄψις, aspect, from the golden blossoms.)

[*] Leaves narrowly lanceolate or linear; achenes linear.

1. C. graminifòlia, Nutt. Silvery-silky, with long close-pressed hairs; stem slender, often with runners from the base, naked above, bearing few heads; leaves lanceolate or linear, elongated, grass-like, nerved, shining, entire.—Dry sandy soil, Del. to Va., and southward. July–Oct.

[*][*] Leaves oblong or lanceolate, entire or slightly serrate, mostly sessile, veined, not nerved; achenes obovate, flattened.

3. C. gossýpina, Nutt. Densely woolly all over; leaves spatulate or oblong, obtuse (1–2´ long); heads larger than in the next.—Pine barrens, Va., and southward. Aug.–Oct.

4. C. Mariàna, Nutt. Silky with long and weak hairs, or when old smoothish; leaves oblong; heads corymbed, on glandular peduncles.—Dry barrens, from S. New York and Penn., southward, near the coast. Aug.–Oct.

5. C. villòsa, Nutt. Hirsute and villous-pubescent; stem corymbosely branched, the branches terminated by single short-peduncled heads; leaves narrowly oblong, hoary with rough pubescence (as also the involucre), bristly-ciliate toward the base.—Dry plains and prairies, Wisc. to Ky., and westward. July–Sept. Very variable.—Var. híspida, Gray. Low, hirsute and hispid, not canescent; heads small. Kan., west and southward.—Var. canéscens, Gray. Wholly canescent with short appressed pubescence; leaves narrow, mostly oblanceolate.—Kan. to Tex.

6. C. pilòsa, Nutt. Annual, soft-hirsute or villous; leaves oblong-lanceolate; involucre viscid; outer pappus chaffy and conspicuous—Kan. and southward.

15. APLOPÁPPUS, Cass.

Heads many-flowered, radiate; rays many, pistillate. Involucre hemispherical, of many closely imbricated scales in several series. Receptacle flat. Achenes short, turbinate to linear; pappus simple, of numerous unequal bristles.—Mostly herbaceous perennials, with alternate rigid leaves. Ray- and disk-flowers yellow. (From ἁπλόος, simple, and πάππος, pappus.)

1. A. ciliàtus, DC. Annual or biennial, glabrous, 2–5° high, leafy; leaves oval (or lower obovate), obtuse, dentate with bristle-pointed teeth; heads very large, few and clustered, the outer scales spreading; achenes glabrous, the central abortive.—Mo., Kan., and southward.

2. A. spinulòsus, DC. Perennial, branching, puberulent or glabrate, low; leaves narrow, pinnately or bipinnately parted, the lobes and teeth bristle-tipped; heads small, the appressed scales bristle-tipped; achenes pubescent.—Minn. to Kan., and southward.

3. A. divaricàtus, Gray. Annual, 1–2° high, slender and diffusely paniculate, rough-pubescent or glabrate; leaves rigid, narrow, entire or with a few spinulose teeth, much reduced above; heads small and narrow, the appressed scales subulate, attenuate; achenes silky.—Southern Kan.

16. BIGELÒVIA, DC. Rayless Golden-rod.

1. B. nudàta, DC. A smooth perennial; the slender stem (1–2° high) simple or branched from the base, naked above, corymbose at the summit, bearing small heads in a flat-topped corymb.—Low pine barrens, N. J. (rare), and southward. Sept.

17. SOLIDÀGO, L. Golden-rod.

Heads few–many-flowered, radiate; the rays 1–16, pistillate. Scales of the oblong involucre appressed, destitute of herbaceous tips (except n. 1 and 2). Receptacle small, not chaffy. Achenes many-ribbed, nearly terete; pappus simple, of equal capillary bristles.—Perennial herbs, with mostly wand-like stems and nearly sessile stem-leaves, never heart-shaped. Heads small, racemed or clustered; flowers both of the disk and ray (except n. 6) yellow. (Name from solidus and ago, to join, or make whole, in allusion to reputed vulnerary qualities.) Flowering in autumn.

Conspectus of Groups.

Heads small, sessile in flat-topped corymbs; leaves linear 41, 42

Heads all more or less pedicelled.

Involucral scales rigid, with spreading herbaceous tips 1, 2

Involucral scales without green tips.

Heads in a compound terminal corymb, not at all racemose 37–40

Heads small, mostly clustered in the axils of feather-veined leaves 3–7

Heads mostly large, in a terminal thyrse; leaves feather-veined.

Western species 8, 9

Northern or mountain species 10–12

Heads mostly small or middle-sized; inflorescence paniculate (sometimes thyrsoidal).

Leaves 3-ribbed; heads in 1-sided spreading panicled racemes.

Stem and leaves smooth and glabrous 29–32

Pubescent or scabrous 33–36

Leaves not 3-ribbed, or only obscurely triple-nerved.

Heads large; leaves thickish, very smooth, entire. Seashore 13

Panicle virgate or thyrsoid; leaves nearly entire 14–17

Heads very small in a short broad panicle; leaves nearly entire 18–20

Heads racemosely paniculate; leaves ample, the lower serrate 21–28

§ 1. VIRGAÙREA. Rays mostly fewer than the disk-flowers; heads all more or less pedicelled.

[*] Scales of the much imbricated and rigid involucre with abruptly spreading herbaceous tips; heads in clusters or glomerate racemes, disposed in a dense somewhat leafy and interrupted wand-like compound spike.

1. S. squarròsa, Muhl. Stem stout (2–5° high), hairy above; leaves large, oblong, or the lower spatulate-oval and tapering into a margined petiole, serrate, veiny; heads numerous; scales obtuse or acute; disk-flowers 16–24, the rays 12–16.—Rocky and wooded hills, Maine and W. Vt. to Penn., Ohio, and the mountains of Va.; rather rare.

[*][*] Involucral scales without green tips and wholly appressed.

[+] Heads small (3´´ long), clustered along the stem in the axils of the feather-veined leaves, or the upper forming a thyrse.

[++] Achenes pubescent.

3. S. cæ̀sia, L. Smooth; stem terete, mostly glaucous, at length much branched and diffuse; leaves lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, serrate, pointed, sessile; heads in very short clusters, or somewhat racemose-panicled on the branches.—Rich woodlands, common; west to S. E. Minn., Ill., and Ky.

4. S. latifòlia, L. Smooth or nearly so; stem angled, zigzag, simple or paniculate-branched (1–3° high); leaves broadly ovate or oval, very strongly and sharply serrate, conspicuously pointed at both ends (thin, 3–6´ long); heads in very short axillary clusters, or the clusters somewhat prolonged at the end of the branches; rays 3–4.—Moist shaded banks; common northward, and south along the mountains.

5. S. Curtísii, Torr. & Gray. Smooth or nearly so; stem angled, usually branched; leaves oblong to long-lanceolate with narrowed entire base, serrate above with subulate teeth; heads in small, loose clusters; rays 4–7.—Open woods at low elevations in the mountains of Va. and southward.

[++][++] Achenes glabrous; inflorescence more thyrsoid.

6. S. bícolor, L. Hoary or grayish with soft hairs; stem mostly simple; leaves oblong or elliptical-lanceolate, acute at both ends, or the lower oval and tapering into a petiole, slightly serrate; clusters or short racemes from the axils of the upper leaves, forming an interrupted spike or crowded panicle; scales very obtuse; rays (5–14) small, cream-color or nearly white.—Var. cóncolor, Torr. & Gray, has the rays yellow.—Dry copses, west to Minn. and Mo.

7. S. montícola, Torr. & Gray. Nearly glabrous; stem slender, 1–2° high; leaves oblong-ovate to lanceolate, acute or tapering at both ends, the lower sparingly serrate; heads small, the scales acutish; rays 5–6.—Alleghany Mts., from Md. southward.

[+][+] Heads mostly large (smaller in n. 12), many-flowered, forming an erect terminal thyrse; leaves feather-veined.

[++] Leaves numerous, short, sessile, entire, uniform in size and shape; western.

8. S. Bigelòvii, Gray. Cinereous-puberulent, 2° high; leaves oval and oblong, mostly obtuse at both ends; thyrse rather loose; involucre broad.—S. Kan. and southward. Probably running into the next.

9. S. Lindheimeriàna, Scheele. Less puberulent; leaves lanceolate or oblong, more acute; heads narrower and more densely clustered; achenes glabrous.—S. Kan. and southward.

[++][++] Northern or mountain species, bright green.

11. S. Virgaùrea, Linn. An extremely variable and confused species in the Old World, represented in North America by

Var. alpìna, Bigel. Dwarf (1–8´ high), with few (1–12) pretty large heads (3–4´´ long, becoming smaller as they increase in number); leaves thickish, mostly smooth, spatulate or obovate, mostly obtuse, finely serrate or nearly entire, the uppermost lanceolate; heads few in a terminal cluster or subsolitary in the upper axils; scales lanceolate, acute or acutish; rays about 12.—Alpine summits of Maine, N. H., and N. Y., and shore of L. Superior.

12. S. hùmilis, Pursh. Low (6–12´ high) and smooth, bearing several or numerous loosely thyrsoid smaller heads, which, with the peduncles, etc., are mostly somewhat glutinous; scales obtuse; rays 6–8, short; upper leaves lanceolate to linear, entire, the lower becoming spatulate and sparingly serrate. (S. Virgaurea, var. humilis, Gray.)—Rocky banks, W. Vt., along the Great Lakes, and northward; also on islands in the Susquehanna, near Lancaster, and at the Falls of the Potomac.—At the base of the White Mountains, on gravelly banks, occurs a form with the minutely pubescent stout stem 1–2° high, the leaves larger, broader, and coarsely toothed, and the heads very numerous in an ample compound raceme; rays occasionally almost white.

Var. Gillmàni, Gray. Larger (2° high), rigid, with compound ample panicle and laciniately toothed leaves.—Sand-hills of the lake-shores, N. Mich.

[+][+][+] Heads small or middle-sized (large in n. 13 and 17), panicled or sometimes thyrsoidal, not in a terminal corymbiform cyme; not alpine.

[++] Leaves veiny, not 3-ribbed, but sometimes obscurely triple-nerved.

[=] 1. Heads commonly large; leaves thickish, very smooth, entire, elongated.

13. S. sempérvirens, L. Smooth and stout (1–8° high); leaves lanceolate, slightly clasping, or the lower ones lanceolate-oblong, obscurely triple-nerved; racemes short, in an open or contracted panicle.—Salt marshes, or rocks on the shore, Maine to Va.—Heads showy; the golden rays 7–10. Varies, in less brackish swamps, with thinner elongated linear-lanceolate leaves, tapering to each end, and more erect racemes in a narrower panicle.

[=] 2. Heads small, in a narrow virgate or thyrsoid panicle; scales thin, acute; leaves nearly entire.

14. S. strícta, Ait. Very smooth throughout; stem strict and simple, wand-like (2–4° high), slender, beset with small and entire appressed lanceolate-oblong thickish leaves, gradually reduced upward to mere bracts, the lowest oblong-spatulate; heads crowded in a very narrow compound spicate raceme; rays 5–7. (S. virgata, Michx.)—Damp pine barrens, N. J. and southward.

[=] 3. Heads middle-sized, in a thyrsoid panicle; involucral scales rather firm, obtuse; leaves entire or little serrate, smooth.

16. S. uliginòsa, Nutt. Smooth nearly throughout; stem simple, strict (2–3° high); leaves lanceolate, pointed, the lower tapering into winged petioles, partly sheathing at the base, sparsely serrulate or entire; racemes much crowded and appressed in a dense wand-like panicle; scales linear-oblong; rays 5–6, small. (S. stricta, Ait.)—Peat-bogs, Maine to Penn., Minn., and northward. Root-leaves 6–10´ long. Flowers earlier than most species, beginning in July.

17. S. speciòsa, Nutt. Stem stout (3–6° high), smooth; leaves thickish, smooth with rough margins, oval or ovate, slightly serrate, the uppermost oblong-lanceolate, the lower contracted into a margined petiole; heads somewhat crowded in numerous erect racemes, forming an ample pyramidal or thyrsiform panicle; peduncles and pedicels rough-hairy; scales of the cylindrical involucre oblong; rays about 5, large.—Var. angustàta, Torr. & Gray, is a dwarf form, with the racemes short and clustered, forming a dense interrupted or compound spike.—Copses, Maine to Minn., and southward.—A very handsome species; the lower leaves 4–6´ long and 2–4´ wide in the larger forms.

[=] 4. Heads very small in slender spreading secund clusters forming a mostly short and broad panicle; leaves entire or nearly so.

18. S. odòra, Ait. (Sweet Golden-rod.) Smooth or nearly so throughout; stem slender (2–3° high), often reclined; leaves linear-lanceolate, entire, shining, pellucid-dotted; racemes spreading in a small one-sided panicle; rays 3–4, rather large.—Border of thickets in dry or sandy soil, Maine and Vt. to Ky., and southward.—The crushed leaves yield a pleasant anisate odor; but an occasional form is nearly scentless.

19. S. tortifòlia, Ell. Stem scabrous-puberulent, 2–3° high; leaves linear, short, commonly twisted, roughish-puberulent or glabrate; rays very short.—Dry soil, coast of Va. and southward.

20. S. pilòsa, Walt. Stem stout, upright (3–7° high), clothed with spreading hairs; leaves oblong-lanceolate, roughish, hairy beneath, at least on the midrib, serrulate, the upper ovate-lanceolate or oblong and entire, closely sessile; racemes many, recurved, in a dense pyramidal panicle; rays 7–10, very short.—Low grounds, pine barrens of N. J. to Va. and southward.

[=] 5. Heads small or middle-sized, racemosely paniculate; leaves broad or ample, veiny, at least the lower serrate (or entire in n. 28); involucral scales obtuse.

21. S. pátula, Muhl. Stem strongly angled, smooth (2–4° high); leaves (4–8´ long) ovate, acute, serrate, pale, very smooth and veiny underneath, but the upper surface very rough, like shagreen; racemes rather short and numerous on the spreading branches; heads rather large.—Swamps; common.

23. S. ulmifòlia, Muhl. Stem smooth, the branches hairy; leaves thin, elliptical-ovate or oblong-lanceolate, pointed, tapering to the base, loosely veined, beset with soft hairs beneath; racemes panicled, recurved-spreading; involucral scales lanceolate-oblong; rays about 4.—Low copses; common.—Too near the last; distinguished only by its smooth stem and thin larger leaves.

24. S. Ellióttii, Torr. & Gray. Smooth; stem stout (1–3° high), very leafy; leaves elliptical or oblong-lanceolate, acute (2–3´ long), closely sessile, slightly serrate, strongly veined, thick, smooth both sides, shining above; heads in dense spreading racemes which are crowded in a close pyramidal panicle; peduncles and achenes strigose-pubescent. (S. elliptica, Torr. & Gray, not Ait.)—Swamps (fresh or brackish) near the coast, Mass. to N. J. and southward.—Heads showy, 3´´ long; the rays 8–12.

25. S. neglécta, Torr. & Gray. Smooth; stem stout (2–4° high), less leafy; leaves thickish, smooth both sides, opaque; the upper oblong-lanceolate, mostly acute and nearly entire; the lower ovate-lanceolate or oblong, sharply serrate, tapering into a petiole; racemes short and dense, at length spreading, disposed in an elongated or pyramidal close panicle; peduncles and achenes nearly glabrous.—Swamps, Maine to Md., Wisc., and Minn.—Heads rather large, crowded; the racemes at first erect and scarcely one-sided. Very variable, the forms approaching n. 16 and 27.

Var. linoìdes, Gray. The most slender form; radical leaves 4–8´ long and 4–6´´ wide, the upper very small, erect, branches of panicle rather few, one-sided; rays 2–5. (S. linoides, Torr. & Gray.)—Mass. to N. J.

26. S. Boòttii, Hook. Smooth, or scabrous-pubescent or below hirsute, slender, often branched, 2–5° high; leaves rather finely serrate, ovate to oblong-lanceolate, pointed; the upper small, oblong to narrowly lanceolate, often entire; heads loosely racemose; rays 1–5 or none; achenes pubescent.—Dry grounds, Va. and southward.

27. S. argùta, Ait. Smooth; stem angled; leaves (large and thin) ovate, and the upper elliptical-lanceolate, very sharply and strongly serrate (entire only on the branches), pointed at both ends, the lowest on margined petioles; racemes pubescent, spreading, disposed in an elongated open panicle; rays 6–7, large; achenes usually glabrous. (S. Muhlenbergii, Torr. & Gray.)—Copses and moist woods, N. H. to Penn., Ont., and N. E. Minn.—Racemes much shorter and looser than in the next; the involucral scales thin and more slender; the heads somewhat larger, fully 3´´ long.

28. S. júncea, Ait. Smooth throughout (1–3° high); radical and lower stem-leaves elliptical or lanceolate-oval, sharply serrate with spreading teeth, pointed, tapering into winged and ciliate petioles; the others lanceolate or narrowly oblong, slightly triple-nerved, tapering to each end, the uppermost entire; racemes dense, naked, at length elongated and recurved, forming a crowded and flat corymb-like panicle; rays 8–12, small. (S. arguta, Torr. & Gray.)—Var. scabrélla, Gray, is somewhat roughish-pubescent (Wisc. to Ky.).—Copses and banks; common. Well distinguished by its long or drooping racemes, and the closely appressed rigid scales of the involucre, small rays, etc. Heads seldom over 2´´ long, the scales small and pale.

[=] Smooth and glabrous, at least the stem and bright green leaves.

a. Leaves firm and rather rigid; involucral scales thickish, obtuse, quite unequal.

29. S. Missouriénsis, Nutt. Smooth throughout (1–3° high); leaves linear-lanceolate, or the lower broadly lanceolate, tapering to both ends, with very rough margins; teeth, if any, sharp and rigid; heads and dense crowded racemes nearly as in n. 28; achenes nearly glabrous.—Dry prairies, from Wisc. and Ind. south and westward.—Heads 1½–2´´ long.

30. S. Shórtii, Torr. & Gray. Stem slender, simple (2–4° high), minutely roughish-pubescent above; leaves (the larger 2–3´ long) oblong-lanceolate, acute, the lower mostly serrate with a few fine teeth; racemes mostly short in a crowded panicle; achenes silky-pubescent.—Rocks at the Falls of the Ohio; Ark.—A handsome species; heads 3´´ long, narrow.

b. Leaves thinner; involucral scales thin, chiefly linear, obtuse.

31. S. serótina, Ait. Stem stout (2–7° high), smooth, often glaucous; leaves quite smooth both sides, lanceolate, taper-pointed, very sharply serrate, except the narrowed base, rough-ciliate; the ample panicle pubescent; rays 7–14, rather long. (S. gigantea, of previous ed.)—Copses and fence-rows; common, and presenting many varieties. Seldom very tall.

Var. gigantèa, Gray. Commonly tall, 5–8° high; leaves more or less pubescent or hispidulous beneath. (S. gigantea, Ait.; S. serotina of previous ed.)—Thickets and low grounds, Can. to Tex.

32. S. rupéstris, Raf. Stem smooth, slender, 2–3° high; leaves linear-lanceolate, tapering both ways, entire or nearly so; panicle narrow; heads very small; rays 4–6, very short.—Rocky river-banks, W. Va. to Ky. and Ind.

[=][=] Pubescent (at least the stem) or hispidulous-scabrous.

33. S. Canadénsis, L. Stem rough-hairy, tall and stout (3–6° high); leaves lanceolate, pointed, sharply serrate (sometimes almost entire), more or less pubescent beneath and rough above; heads small; rays very short.—Borders of thickets and fields; very common.—Varies greatly in the roughness and hairiness of the stem and leaves, the latter oblong-lanceolate or elongated linear-lanceolate;—in var. pròcera, whitish-woolly underneath; and in var. scàbra also very rough above, often entire, and rugose-veined.

34. S. nemoràlis, Ait. Clothed with a minute and close grayish-hoary (soft or roughish) pubescence; stem simple or corymbed at the summit (½–2½° high); leaves oblanceolate or spatulate-oblong, the lower somewhat crenate-toothed and tapering into a petiole; racemes numerous, dense, at length recurved, forming a large and crowded compound raceme or panicle which is usually turned to one side; scales of the involucre linear-oblong, appressed; rays 5–9.—Dry sterile fields; very common. Flowers very bright yellow, beginning early in Aug.—Var. incàna, Gray, of Minn., and westward, is a dwarf form, with rigid oval or oblong leaves, rather strongly serrate or entire, and the clusters of heads in a dense oblong or conical thyrse.

35. S. rádula, Nutt. Stem and oblong or obovate-spatulate leaves rigid and very rough, not hoary, the upper sessile; scales oblong, rigid; rays 3–6; otherwise nearly as in n. 34.—Dry hills, W. Ill., Minn. Kan., and southward.

[+][+][+][+] Heads in a compound corymb terminating the simple stem, not at all racemose; leaves mostly with a strong midrib.

[++] Leaves flat, not 3-nerved.

37. S. rígida, L. Rough and somewhat hoary with a minute pubescence; stem stout (2–5° high), very leafy; corymb dense; leaves oval or oblong, copiously feather-veined, thick and rigid; the upper closely sessile by a broad base, slightly serrate, the uppermost entire; heads large, over 30-flowered; the rays 7–10.—Dry soil, N. Eng. to Minn., and southward.

38. S. Ohioénsis, Riddell. Very smooth throughout; stem wand-like, slender, leafy (2–3° high); stem-leaves oblong-lanceolate, flat, entire, obscurely feather-veined, closely sessile; the lower and radical ones elongated, slightly serrate toward the apex, tapering into long margined petioles; head numerous, on smooth pedicels, small, 16–20-flowered; the rays 6 or 7.—Moist meadows or prairies, W. New York to Ind. and Wisc.—Root-leaves 1° long; the upper reduced to 1–2´, with rough margins, like the rest.

[++][++] Leaves somewhat folded, entire, the lower slightly 3-nerved.

39. S. Riddéllii, Frank. Smooth and stout (2–4° high), very leafy, the branches of the dense corymb and pedicels rough-pubescent; leaves linear-lanceolate, elongated (4–6´ long), acute, partly clasping or sheathing, mostly recurved, the lowest elongated-lanceolate and tapering into a long keeled petiole; heads very numerous, clustered, 20–30-flowered; the rays 7–9.—Wet grassy prairies, Ohio to Minn. and Mo.; Ft. Monroe, Va.—Heads larger than in the last, 2–3´´ long. Stem-leaves upright and partly sheathing at the base, then gradually recurved-spreading.

40. S. Houghtònii, Torr. & Gray. Smooth; stem rather low and slender (1–2° high); leaves scattered, linear-lanceolate, acutish, tapering into a narrowed slightly clasping base, or the lower into margined petioles; heads few or several, 20–30-flowered; the rays 7–9.—Swamps, north shore of Lake Michigan; Genesee Co., N. Y. July, Aug.—Leaves rough-margined, 2–5´ long, 2–4´´ wide, 1-nerved, or the lower obscurely 3-nerved above; veins obscure. Heads large, nearly ½´ long. Scales of the involucre obtuse.

§ 2. EUTHÀMIA. Corymbosely much branched; heads small, sessile, in little clusters crowded in flat-topped corymbs; the closely appressed involucral scales somewhat glutinous; receptacle fimbrillate; rays 6–20, short, more numerous than the disk-flowers; leaves narrow, entire, sessile.

41. S. lanceolàta, L. Leaves lanceolate-linear, 3–5-nerved; the nerves, margins, and angles of the branches minutely rough-pubescent; heads obovoid-cylindrical, in dense corymbed clusters; rays 15–20.—River-banks, etc., in moist soil; common.—Stem 2–3° high; leaves 3–5´ long.

42. S. tenuifòlia, Pursh. Smooth, slender; leaves very narrowly linear, mostly 1-nerved, dotted; heads obovoid-club-shaped, in numerous clusters of 2 or 3, disposed in a loose corymb; rays 6–12.—Sandy fields, Mass. to Ill., and southward; common near the coast.

Heads and flowers nearly as in Solidago, except the pappus, which is a row of minute rather scale-like bristles, shorter than the achene.—A perennial herb, with rounded or ovate serrate leaves, all the lower ones heart-shaped; the small yellow heads in sessile clusters racemed or spiked on the branches. (Name composed of βραχύς, short, and χίτη, bristle, from the pappus.)

1. B. cordàta, Torr. & Gray. Wooded hills, S. Ind. and E. Ky. to N. Ga. Oct.—Plant 2–4° high, slender, more or less pubescent.

19. BÉLLIS, Tourn. Daisy.

Heads many-flowered, radiate; the rays numerous, pistillate. Scales of the involucre herbaceous, equal, in about 2 rows. Receptacle conical, naked. Achenes obovate, flattened, wingless, and without any pappus.—Low herbs (all but our single species natives of the Old World), either stemless, like the true Daisy, B. perennis (which is found as an occasional escape from cultivation), or leafy-stemmed, as is the following. (The Latin name, from bellus, pretty.)

1. B. integrifòlia, Michx. (Western Daisy.) Annual or biennial, diffusely branched (4´–1° high), smoothish; leaves lanceolate or oblong, the lower spatulate-obovate; heads on slender peduncles; rays pale violet-purple.—Prairies and banks, Ky. and southwestward. March–June.

20. APHANÓSTEPHUS, DC.

Involucral scales in few series, broadly lanceolate, the outer shorter. Achenes prismatic, the broad truncate apex bearing a short coroniform pappus. Otherwise as Bellis.—Southwestern leafy-stemmed and branching pubescent herbs, with solitary terminal daisy-like heads. (Ἀφανής, inconspicuous, and στέφος, crown; in allusion to the pappus.)

1. A. Arkansànus, Gray. Diffuse, 1° high; leaves oblong-spatulate to broadly lanceolate, the lower often toothed or lobed; rays white to purple, ½´ long; pappus mostly 4–5-lobed.—Plains of Kan. and southward.

21. CHÆTOPÁPPA, DC.

Heads several-flowered, radiate; disk-flowers often sterile. Involucral bracts imbricated in 2 or more rows, the outer shorter. Receptacle flat, naked. Achenes fusiform or compressed; pappus of 5 or fewer thin nerveless paleæ, alternating with rough bristly awns, or these wanting.—Low southwestern branching annuals, with narrow entire leaves and solitary terminal heads; ray white or purple. (Χαίτη, a bristle, and πάππος, pappus.)

1. C. asteroìdes, DC. Slender, 2–10´ high, pubescent; involucres narrow, 2´´ long; rays 5–12; achenes pubescent.—Dry grounds, Vernon Co., Mo., and southward.

22. BOLTÒNIA, L'Her.

[*] Heads middle-sized, loosely corymbed.

1. B. asteroìdes, L'Her. Stems 2–8° high; leaves lanceolate; involucral scales acuminate; pappus of few or many minute bristles and 2 awns or none. (B. glastifolia, L'Her., the awned form.)—Moist places along streams; Penn. to Ill., and southward to Fla. Sept., Oct.—Var. decúrrens, Engelm., a large form with the leaves alate-decurrent upon the stem and branches. Mo. (Eggert).

2. B. latisquàma, Gray. Heads rather larger; involucral scales oblong to ovate, obtuse or mucronate-apiculate; pappus-awns conspicuous.—W. Mo. and Kan.

[*][*] Heads small, panicled on the slender branches.

3. B. diffùsa, L'Her. Stem diffusely branched; leaves lance-linear, those on the branchlets very small and awl-shaped; rays short, mostly white; pappus of several very short bristles and 2 short awns.—Prairies of S. Ill. (Vasey), and southwestward. Aug.–Oct.

23. TOWNSÉNDIA, Hook.

Heads many-flowered, the numerous ray-flowers (violet to white) in a single series, fertile. Involucre broad, the lanceolate scariously margined scales imbricated in several series. Receptacle flat, naked. Achenes obovate or oblong, flattened, with thickish margins and beset with forked-capitellate hairs; pappus a single row of long awns or coarse rigid bristles, or reduced in the ray to chaffy scales.—Low scarcely caulescent herbs, with linear to spatulate entire leaves and large heads. (Named for David Townsend, botanical associate of Dr. Darlington of Penn.)

1. T. serìcea, Hook. Acaulescent silky-pubescent perennial; heads sessile, solitary or few, ½–1´ high; ray-pappus mostly bristly.—Dry plains, central Neb., north and westward. April, May.

24. SERICOCÁRPUS, Nees. White-topped Aster.

Heads 12–20-flowered, radiate; the rays about 5, fertile (white). Involucre somewhat cylindrical or club-shaped; the scales closely imbricated in several rows, cartilaginous and whitish, appressed, with short and abrupt often spreading green tips. Receptacle alveolate-toothed. Achenes short, inversely pyramidal, very silky; pappus simple, of numerous capillary bristles.—Perennial tufted herbs (1–2° high), with sessile somewhat 3-nerved leaves, and small heads mostly in little clusters, disposed in a flat corymb. Disk-flowers pale yellow. (Name from σηρικός, silky, and καρπός, fruit.)

[*] Pappus rusty; leaves sparingly serrate, veiny, rather thin.

1. S. conyzoìdes, Nees. Somewhat pubescent; leaves oblong-lanceolate or the lower spatulate, ciliate; heads rather loosely corymbed, obconical (4–6´´ long).—Dry ground; Maine to Ohio, and southward. July.

2 S. solidagíneus, Nees. Smooth, slender; leaves linear, rigid, obtuse, with rough margins, tapering to the base; heads narrow (3´´ long), in close clusters, few-flowered.—Thickets, S. New Eng. to Tenn., and southward. July.

3. S. tortifòlius, Nees. Hoary-pubescent; leaves obovate or oblong-spatulate, short (½–1´ long), vertical, both sides alike; heads rather loosely corymbed, obovoid (4–5´´ long).—Pine woods, Va. and southward. Aug.

25. ÁSTER, L. Starwort. Aster.

Heads many-flowered, radiate; the ray-flowers in a single series, fertile. Scales of the involucre more or less imbricated, usually with herbaceous or leaf-like tips. Receptacle flat, alveolate. Achenes more or less flattened; pappus simple, of capillary bristles (double in §§ 4 and 5).—Perennial herbs (annual only in §§ 7 and 8), with corymbed, panicled, or racemose heads; flowering in autumn. Rays white, purple, or blue; the disk yellow, often changing to purple. (Name ἀστήρ, a star, from the radiate heads of flowers.)

Conspectus of Groups.

Annuals, with copious fine soft pappus 53, 54

Pappus double 46–48

Scales closely imbricated, not green-tipped, often scarious-edged 49–52

Scales closely imbricated, scarcely at all herbaceous; leaves cordate, serrate 2, 3

Scales nearly equal, rigid, more or less foliaceous; pappus-bristles rigid, some thickened at top 1

Scales with herbaceous tips or the outer wholly foliaceous. Aster proper.

Pappus rigid; stem-leaves sessile, none cordate or clasping; heads few, large 4–8

Leaves silvery-silky both sides, sessile, entire 14, 15

Lower leaves more or less cordate, petiolate 17–24

Leaves entire, lower not cordate, cauline sessile with cordate-clasping base 16

Involucre (and branchlets) viscid or glandular; leaves not cordate, mostly entire, the cauline all sessile or clasping 9–13

Lower leaves all acute at base; not glandular nor viscid nor silky-canescent.

Smooth and glabrous, usually glaucous; scales coriaceous at base; leaves firm, usually entire 25–30

Hoary-pubescent or hirsute; scales squarrose; stem-leaves small, linear, entire 31, 32

Scales closely imbricated, not coriaceous at base; branches divaricate; heads many, small 33–35

Remaining species; branches erect or ascending.

Stem-leaves auriculate-clasping or with winged-petiole-like base; involucre lax 42–45

Stem-leaves sessile, but rarely cordate or auriculate at base 36–41

§ 1. HELIÁSTRUM. Pappus simple, coarse and rigid, the stronger bristles somewhat clavate; scales rigid, more or less foliaceous, nearly equal.

1. A. paludòsus, Ait. Stems 1° high; glabrous or nearly so; heads ½´ high, rather few, racemose or spicate; outer scales lax, foliaceous; rays purple; leaves linear, entire.—Mo. to Tex., thence to Car. and Ga.

§ 2. BIÒTIA. Involucre obovoid-bell-shaped; the scales regularly imbricated in several rows, appressed, nearly destitute of herbaceous tips; rays 6–18 (white or nearly so); achenes slender; pappus slightly rigid, simple; lower leaves large, heart-shaped, petioled, coarsely serrate; heads in open corymbs.

3. A. macrophýllus, L. Stem stout and rigid (2–3° high); leaves thickish, rough, closely serrate, abruptly pointed; the lower heart-shaped (4–10´ long, 3–6´ wide), long-petioled; the upper ovate or oblong, sessile or on margined petioles; heads in ample rigid corymbs; rays 10–15 (white or bluish).—Moist woods; common northward, and southward along the mountains. Aug., Sept.—Involucre ½´ broad; the outer scales rigid, oblong or ovate-oblong, the innermost much larger and thinner.

§ 3. ASTER proper. Scales imbricated in various degrees, with herbaceous or leaf-like summits, or the outer entirely foliaceous; rays numerous; pappus simple, soft and nearly uniform (coarser and more rigid in the first group); achenes flattened. (All flowering late in summer or in autumn.)

[*] 1. Scales well imbricated, coriaceous, with short herbaceous mostly obtuse spreading tips; pappus of rigid bristles; stem-leaves all sessile, none heart-shaped or clasping; heads few, or when several corymbose, large and showy.

[+] Lowest leaves ovate or ovate-oblong, some rounded or subcordate at base.

4. A. Hervèyi, Gray. Slightly scabrous, 1–2° high, the summit and peduncles glandular-puberulent; leaves roughish, obscurely serrate, the lower ovate on nearly naked petioles, the upper lanceolate; heads loosely corymbose, ½´ high; involucre nearly hemispherical, the scales obscurely glandular, all erect, with very short or indistinct green tips; rays violet, ½´ long.—Borders of oak woods, in rather moist soil, E. Mass, and R. I.; Mt. Desert. An ambiguous species, approaching the last.

[+][+] Radical leaves all tapering into margined petioles; involucres squarrose (hardly so in n. 8); rootstocks slender.

5. A. spectábilis, Ait. Stems 1–2° high, roughish and glandular-puberulent above; leaves oblong-lanceolate, or the lower spatulate-oblong, obscurely serrate or the upper entire; heads few, hemispherical, ½´ high; scales glandular-puberulent and viscid; mostly with the upper half herbaceous and spreading; rays about 20, bright violet, nearly 1´ long.—sandy soil, Mass. to Del., near the coast, and perhaps southward. Sept.–Nov. One of the handsomest species of the genus.

6. A. surculòsus, Michx. Stems 1° high or less, from long filiform rootstocks; leaves entire or nearly so, rigid, lanceolate or the upper linear; heads few or solitary, as in the last but generally smaller, the scales hardly glandular.—Moist ground, coast of N. J., and southward.

7. A. grácilis, Nutt. Rootstocks occasionally tuberous-thickened; stems slender, 1° high; leaves oblong-lanceolate, entire or nearly so, small (1–2´ long); heads few or several; involucre top-shaped, 3–4´´ long, glabrous, not glandular nor viscid, the coriaceous whitish scales with very short deltoid or ovate tips; rays 9–12, 3–6´´ long.—Pine barrens, N. J. to N. C., E. Ky. and Tenn.

[*] 2. Involucre and usually the branchlets viscidly or pruinose-glandular, well imbricated or loose; pubescence not silky; leaves entire (or the lower with few teeth), the cauline all sessile or clasping; rays showy, violet to purple.

[+] Heads small; involucre not squarrose. Extreme western.

9. A. Féndleri, Gray. Rigid, 1° high or less; leaves firm, linear, 1-nerved, hispid-ciliate, 1´ long or mostly much less; heads scattered, 3´´ high; scales linear-oblong, obtuse, or the inner acute.—Central Kan. (Ellis, Dr. L. Watson) and southwestward.

[+][+] Heads larger; involucral scales spreading, in few or many ranks.

10. A. grandiflòrus, L. Rough with minute hispid hairs; stems slender, loosely much branched (1–3° high); leaves very small (¼–1´ long), oblong-linear, obtuse, rigid, the uppermost passing into scales of the hemispherical squarrose many-ranked involucre; rays bright violet (1´ long); achenes hairy.—Dry open places, Va. and southward.—Heads large and very showy.

11. A. oblongifòlius, Nutt. Minutely glandular-puberulent, much branched above, rigid, paniculate-corymbose (1–2° high); leaves narrowly oblong or lanceolate, mucronate-pointed, partly clasping, thickish (1–2´ long by 2–5´´ wide); involucral scales nearly equal, broadly linear, appressed at the base; rays violet-purple; achenes canescent.—Banks of rivers, from Penn. and Va. to Minn. and Kan.—Heads middle-sized or smaller.

Var. rigídulus, Gray. Low, with more rigid and hispidulous scabrous leaves.—In drier places, Ill., Wisc., and southwestward.

12. A. Nòvæ-Ángliæ, L. Stem stout, hairy (3–8° high), corymbed at the summit; leaves very numerous, lanceolate, entire, acute, auriculate-clasping, clothed with minute pubescence, 2–5´ long; scales nearly equal, linear-awl-shaped, loose, glandular-viscid, as well as the branchlets; rays violet-purple (in var. ròseus rose-purple), very numerous; achenes hairy.—Moist grounds; common.—Heads large. A peculiar and handsome species.

13. A. modéstus, Lindl. Pubescent or glabrate; stem slender, simple, with few large heads terminating slender branchlets; leaves lanceolate, very acute, narrowed to a sessile base, sparingly serrate or serrulate; scales linear-attenuate, equal, mostly herbaceous; rays blue.—N. Dak. and westward.

[*] 3. Leaves whitened, silvery-silky both sides, all sessile and entire, mucronulate; involucre imbricated in 3 to several rows; rays showy, purple-violet.

14. A. serìceus, Vent. Stems slender, branched; leaves silver-white, lanceolate or oblong, heads mostly solitary, terminating the short branchlets; scales of the globular involucre similar to the leaves, spreading, except the short coriaceous base; achenes smooth, many-ribbed.—Prairies and dry banks, Wisc. and Minn. to Ky., and southward.—Heads large; rays 20–30.

[*] 4.Leaves entire, the lower not heart-shaped, the cauline all with sessile and cordate-clasping base, the auricles generally meeting around the stem.

16. A. pàtens, Ait. Rough-pubescent; stem loosely panicled above (1–3° high), with widely spreading branches, the heads mostly solitary, terminating slender branchlets; leaves oblong-lanceolate or ovate-oblong, often contracted below the middle, rough, especially above and on the margins; scales of the minutely roughish involucre with spreading pointed tips; achenes silky.—Var. phlogifòlius, Nees, is a form of shady moist places, with larger and elongated thin scarcely rough leaves, downy underneath, sometimes a little toothed above, mostly much contracted below the middle.—Dry ground; common, Mass. to Minn., and southward. Heads ½´ broad, with showy deep blue-purple rays.

[*] 5 Lower leaves heart-shaped and petioled; no glandular or viscid pubescence; heads with short and appressed green-tipped scales (except in n. 16 and 23), mostly small and numerous, racemose or panicled.

[+] Heads middle-sized, with many rays, and squarrose foliaceous involucre.

17. A. anómalus, Engelm. Somewhat pubescent and scabrous; stems slender (2–4° high), simple or racemose-branched above; leaves ovate or ovate-lanceolate, pointed, entire, the upper small and almost sessile; scales of the hemispherical involucre imbricated in several rows, appressed, with linear spreading leafy tips; achenes smooth.—Limestone cliffs, W. Ill. and Mo. to Ark.—Rays violet-purple.

[+][+] Rays 10–20; involucral scales appressed or erect.

[++] Leaves entire or slightly serrate; heads middle-sized; rays bright-blue.

18. A. azùreus, Lindl. Stem rather rough, erect, racemose-compound at the summit, the branches slender and rigid; leaves rough, the lower ovate-lanceolate or oblong, heart-shaped, on long often hairy petioles; the others lanceolate or linear, sessile, on the branches awl-shaped; involucre inversely conical.—Copses and prairies, western N. Y., and Ohio to Minn., and southwestward. Involucre much as in A. lævis, but smaller and slightly pubescent.

19. A. Shórtii, Hook. Stem slender, spreading, nearly smooth, bearing very numerous heads in racemose panicles; leaves smooth above, minutely pubescent underneath, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, elongated, tapering gradually to a sharp point, all but the uppermost more or less heart-shaped at base, and on naked petioles, none clasping; involucre bell-shaped.—Cliffs and banks, Ohio to Ill., and southward.—A pretty species, 2–4° high; leaves 3–5´ long.

[++][++] Leaves conspicuously serrate; heads small; rays pale blue or nearly white.

21. A. cordifòlius, L. Stem much branched above, the spreading or diverging branches bearing very numerous panicled heads; lower leaves all heart-shaped, on slender and mostly naked ciliate petioles; scales of the inversely conical involucre all appressed and tipped with very short green points, obtuse or acutish.—Woodlands; very common.—Heads profuse, but quite small. Varies with the stem and leaves either smooth, roughish, or sometimes hairy, also with the leaves all narrower. Apparent hybrids with n. 35 also occur.

22. A. sagittifòlius, Willd. Stem rigid, erect, with ascending branches bearing numerous racemose heads; leaves ovate-lanceolate, pointed; the lower heart-shaped at base, on margined petioles; the upper lanceolate or linear, pointed at both ends; scales of the oblong involucre linear, tapering into awl-shaped slender and loose tips.—Dry ground, N. Y. and Penn. to Ky., and northward.—Green, but usually more or less hairy or downy; the heads rather larger than in the last, almost sessile.

23. A. Drummóndii, Lindl. Pale with fine gray pubescence; leaves cordate to cordate-lanceolate, mostly on margined petioles, the uppermost lanceolate and sessile; scales acute or acutish.—Passing into the last. Open ground, etc., Ill. to Minn. and Kan.

24. A. Lindleyànus, Torr. & Gray. Rather stout, 1–2° high, sparsely pubescent or nearly glabrous; radical and lowest leaves ovate, moderately or obscurely cordate, the uppermost sessile and pointed at both ends; heads larger, rather few in a loose thyrse or panicle, the linear-attenuate scales looser and less imbricated; rays pale violet.—Lab. to L. Superior; Lisbon, N. H. (C. E. Faxon), and Mt. Desert (Rand).

[*] 6. Without heart-shaped petioled leaves, the radical and lower all acute or attenuate at base; not glandular nor viscid, nor silky-canescent.