Part 33

The seed-globe of the Dandelion is a favorite with children, by whom it is named a “clock”; its seeds are furnished with feathery plumes, which serve as wings to waft them abroad. The flower-stem too is easily split when plucked, and curls into enchanting spirals that no youthful taste may resist. When cut off short by the cruel lawn-mower, these generous plants put forth fresh golden discs close to the ground within the leaves.

*Coltsfoot.* Tussilago Farfara.

Found in moist meadows, on banks, and brooksides in May.

The flowers and leaves grow from the root, about 4 or 6 inches high.

The leaf appears some time after the flowers; it is large, rounding, with a heart-shaped base, the margin slightly broken by small rounded points, and with strong ribs radiating from the base; it is exceptionally fine in texture, and the upper side is possessed of a silky smoothness, the lower side being soft woolly (the new leaves are very woolly). They grow from the root on stout, half-round stems, that are dull purplish-red in color, and often covered with a loose white wool; the leaves are a fine cool green, silvery beneath.

The small flowers are grouped in dandelion-like heads, with many fine fringy rays; all colored alike a bright yellow. The head is held in a deep, leafy cup that is green strongly tinged with reddish-brown; it grows on a stout, grooved, roughish stem, which bears several, small, brownish scales; it rises from the ground before the leaves.

The Coltsfoot, introduced from England, has become thoroughly naturalized here. Its blossoms bear a certain superficial resemblance to the Dandelion, though really different in habits of growth. The leaves are truly decorative, growing thickly in large spaces, and forming a mosaic of green tiles close down to the brook’s edge.

*Robin’s Plantain.* Erigeron bellidifolius.

Found in meadows and fields, during May and June.

The stalk (from 8 to 18 inches high) is single, and sparingly leafy; grooved, and slightly hairy. Color, light green.

The long, narrow leaf, with a tapering tip, and a partly-clasping base, has a taut midrib which fulls the blade; its margin is sparsely notched (except that of the upper leaves), and the surface is slightly hairy. The color is green, with a paler midrib. The arrangement is alternate, and at long intervals.

The disc flowers are very small, and in color greenish-yellow; set in a flat-topped head, surrounded by many long rays, like a finely cut fringe, which are blue or pinkish-lavender. The cup is hemispherical, and green. The heads form a flat-topped terminal cluster.

Robin’s Plantain grows in communities among tall grasses, swaying gracefully on its long stalks as the breeze sweeps over the field. This is apparently the only one of its class that is distinguished by an attractive folk-name of its own,--all the rest are Daisy Fleabanes.

*Daisy Fleabane.* Erigeron Philadelphicus.

Found in meadows and roadsides during June.

The simple, and leafy, stalk grows from 2 to 8 feet high; it is rather slender, finely grooved or lined, and a little hairy. In color a light green.

The root-leaves are very long, the others decrease in size as they mount the stalk; they are long and narrow, with sparsely and irregularly notched margins (sometimes only one to a leaf), and a firm texture,--smooth to the touch. The color is green. They clasp the stalk partly, and occur alternately.

The disc flowers form a small flat button, which is at first greenish, and later changes to yellowish-orange; the rays are many, fine and fringy in appearance, and varying in color from white to pink. The cup is light green. The flower heads grow in somewhat flat-topped clusters on the top of the stalk, upon limber stems which are inclined to droop.

This Fleabane follows Robin’s Plantain in the succession of June flowers, and bears a general resemblance to the other plants of its genus, which renders it difficult to distinguish individually from its fellows.

*Golden Rag-wort.* Senecio aureus. *Squaw-weed.*

Found in May or June in pasture lands.

The stalk, which grows from 1 to 8 feet high, is single, somewhat rigid in bearing, leafy, hollow, and woody-fibred, with a grooved surface. Its color is green, with dull brown streaks.

The lower leaves are simple, and round or heart or lyre-shaped, with toothed margins, and are set on long stems; the upper leaves are long and narrow, their margins deeply cleft, and are set upon the stalk, partly clasping it. The texture is thin, and surface smooth. A rich green in color.

The bloom is small, of a deep orange hue; it is gathered in a close head, surrounded by 6 to 14 short rays, which have slightly notched tips, are of fine texture, and are an absolute orange-yellow color. The heads are set in a smooth, deep cup, of a yellow-green color tipped with red; they are arranged, on long slender stems, in a loose terminal cluster.

Occasionally the flower-stems bear thread-like leaves; sometimes the grooved stalk is slightly twisted. The leafage is inclined to curl, and with its fine deep notches presents a feathery appearance. The foot-tuft of leaves is interesting in arrangement.

*May-weed.* Anthemis Cotula. *Pigstye Daisy (Mass.).* *Dog Fennel.*

Found through the summer, from May to October, growing about buildings, or in waste places.

The stalk is seldom a foot in height, branching in a bushy fashion, and very leafy; it is slender but tough-fibred, and smooth. In color light green.