Part 41

The round, leafy stem is stout and tall, sometimes reaching to the height of 6 feet; it is rough-downy, or hairy, to the touch, and of a light yellowish-gray color.

The oval leaf is long, tapering at both ends; usually notched on the edge, slightly rough above, and downy beneath; it is coarse in texture, and in the quality of its green color.

The flower-heads are small, and bright yellow; they grow on curving branchlets in a many-sided plume, on the top of the stalk.

*Noble Goldenrod.* Solidago speciosa.

Found during September growing in dry soil, near the woods often.

The smooth, round, single stalk varies from 3 to 6 feet in height. Its color is a fine dark red.

The leaf is long and narrow, and tapers at both ends; its margin is entire, the edge being a little rough, and the midrib is strong and curving, and a trifle taut, which fulls the blade; the texture is fine and thick, and the surface is smooth. The color is yellow-green. The leaves are set alternately upon the stalk.

The stamens of the disc flowers are long; the rays 5 or 6 in number; full-toned yellow in color. The heads are rather large, and are arranged in a large pyramid-shaped terminal spike.

A strikingly handsome plant, with its strong red stems, which color also tempers the green of its foliage into an excellent harmony with the numerous flowers. Its manner of growth in circular settlements of many plants together is a very individual trait.

*Small Spike Goldenrod.* Solidago nemoralis.

Found in September along dry roadsides and in sandy fields.

The stalk, which seldom grows higher than 2 feet, is single, and very leafy, of a strong fibre, and slightly rough, or not quite smooth to the touch. It is grayish green in color.

Disc flowers are few, the rays are seldom more than 8 in number, arranged in little one-sided spires to form a close, leafy, spike-like plume. The color is very clear in hue.

Common to all localities favorable to the Goldenrods, and, as observed, reaching its fullness of bloom in September rather than in August.

*Broad-leaved Goldenrod.* Solidago latifolia.

Found in September and October on the edges of woods, and moist copses.

The stalk grows from 1 to 3 feet high; it is often zigzag in gesture or angular, is leafy, smooth to the touch, and woody-fibred. Its color is green.

The broadly-oval leaf tapers at both ends, the margin is cut in sharp slender teeth, ribs are marked, and the surface is rough to the touch. Color, yellowish green.

The disc flowers are small, and the ray flowers are few, from 4 to 6 in number; in color they are clear yellow. The cups are pale green, and the heads are gathered, in small clusters, on the end of the stalk, and in the angles of the upper leaves.

This is a pleasing variation from the common types of the Goldenrods; its prolonged leafy stem, slender in growth, and strung with small clusters of yellow flowers, is less showy, but more refined in general bearing than many others.

*Wreath Goldenrod.* Solidago cæsia.

Found, during September and October, growing in rich woods or on the borders of thickets.

The very slender, curving, stalk varies from 10 to 18 inches, or more, in height; it often branches near the end, and is leafy all the way; smooth. Clear green in color.

The leaf is long-oval in shape, tapering at both ends, with a sharp tip; it has a strong midrib, the margin is notched with sharp teeth, the texture is thin, and surface smooth. Green in color. The arrangement is alternate, the leaves being set on the stalk near together.

The ray flowers, 4 or 5 in number, are small; the little heads are clustered upon the stalk in the angles of the leaves for a considerable part of its length. The color is a pleasing yellow.

These slender, swaying, golden wreaths of bloom love best a shady wood road, though they bear transplanting into gardens fairly well.

*Upland White Aster.* Aster ptarmicoides.

Found among rocks, in dry soil, in August.