S onchus. L . 17. 1.
Name derived from the Greek, for soft or hollow, as the plants
have a soft and feeble as well as hollow stem.
Four species are found in the State.
& oleraceus. L. Sow Thistle. Grows in gardens and waste
grounds about houses and barns ; about 3 feet high, smooth, brittle,,
easily crushed, with clasping leaves, runcinate, and with spiny
teeth ; a late plant, flowers in August and September. Has properties
similar to Dandelion; eaten by rabbits, but rejected by
most animals ; odor unpleasant. Introduced from Britain.
<S. leucophaus. L. A similar plant.
S. acuminatus. W. Has small, numerous, blue flowers ; on
low grounds, and rare ; August.
<S. spinulosus. Big. Prickly Sea Thistle. Grows about
salt marshes, 2 feet high ; lobes of leaves curl backwards, and clasp
the stem, and have edges waved ; flowers somewhat umbel-form,
yellow ; August.
At the South, another species, there indigenous, S. Floridanus,
W ., is used as a remedy for the poison of the rattlesnake, and is
called Gall of the Earth. Pursh.
T ragopogon. W . 17. 1.
T. porrifolium. W. Vegetable Oyster, or Goat’s Beard.
The genus is named from the Greek, for Goat’s Beard, on account
of the long, hairy beard of the seeds, and the species from
the resemblance of the leaf of the young plant to that of the leek
or onion ; introduced from England, and cultivated for its roots,
which, prepared in certain modes, have the odor and flavor of the
oyster. On the continent of Europe, the long tapering roots are
used for food, like the parsnip. It is sown in the spring, and the
roots are used in the following winter and spring ; blossoms the
second season. The plants, from the self-sown seeds of August,
blossom the next season.
H ieracium. L. 17. 1. Hawkweed.
Five species, H. venosum, L ., Gronovii, L ., Kalmii, L ., maria-
num, y ^ ., and paniculatum, W., are common in the borders of
fields and woods, all natives of this country. The 'genus has
about 80 species, of which nearly seven-tenths are indigenous to
Europe, and one tenth to North America. Very few of them
appear to have much of either utility or beauty.
H. venosum. L. Stem 2 feet high, naked and branching,
with long radical leaves, strongly marked with dark-red veins.
It seems to have been a notion, that the hawk strengthened its
vision by the juice of some of these plants ; hence the English
name, and also the generic name from the Greek for a hawk.
Loudon.
L iatris. L . 17. 1.
L . scariosa. W. Gay Feather. A splendid plant, when its
long raceme is in full blossom ; flowers of a bright-blue, on a
simple stem, with long leaves, narrowed at both ends ; blossoms
in August; Danvers. Cultivated in gardens for its beauty.
L. spicata. W. Another beautiful species ; a cultivated but
more rare plant ; flowers purple.
This is an American genus of near 20 species, usually found
in more southern latitudes. The origin of the generic name is
not known ; the English name is truly characteristic. The species
are considered an antidote for the bite of the rattlesnake,
and L. scariosa is often called Rattlesnake’s Master.
V ernonia. L . 17. 1.
An American genus of 10 species ; one in India. Named
after William Vernon, who collected plants in America.
V. Noveboracensis. W. Flat Top. Stem 3 - 5 feet high,
branching at the top, and the flowers spread out on branches, so
as to be nearly flat and level, with numerous scabrous leaves ;
flowers small and dark-purple ; wet places.
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