R udbeckia. L. 17. 3. Cone Flower.
Named after O. Rudbeck, professor of botany at Upsal, in
Sweden. It is a North American genus of about 15 species, of
which 12 have been introduced into England. Only 1 species
appears in this State.
R. laciniata. L. Often called Thimble Flower, front the
length and size of the cone-part of the flower ; stem 4 - 6 feet
high, branching, smooth; leaves rough, lower ones pinnate or
pinnatifid, of about 5 segments, and the upper nearly sessile,
ovate ; flowers large, with long and broad yellow ray-florets ;
woods and hedges ; August. This is a handsome plant, and is
introduced into some yards and gardens.
C oreopsis. L. 17. 3.
Frofn the Greek for bug and resemblance, as the seed, by its flatfish
convex surface, rounded at one end, and with two little horns at
the other, much resembles some insect. It is almost wholly an
American genus, of about 30 species, 19 of which have been introduced
into England; only 2 are found native in this State.
The species are rather beautiful, and of some species the flowering
continues for a long time. The species belong chiefly to the
southern part of North America.
C. trichosperma. Mx. Tickseed Sunflower. Bears large,
yellow flowers ; stem about 2 feet high, with wing-shaped, glabrous,
and opposite leaves ; swamps ; August and September.
C. rosea. Nutt. A new species found abundantly about the
ponds in Plymouth.
Two or three species of Coreopsis are now cultivated in the
more extensive flower-gardens, which have been introduced from
the South.
C entaurea. L. 17. 3.
The Centaur is said to have cured the wound, inflicted on his
foot by Hercules, with a plant of this genus, and hence the name.
It embraces nearly 140 species, most of which are natives of
Europe, and the countries adjacent on the south and southeast;
77 have been cultivated in England or found native.
C. nigra. L. Black Knapweed. A coarse and troublesome
weed in the pastures and meadows of England, and introduced
and naturalized in a few places ; Medford and Charlestown ;
July and August. Stem 2 feet high, branching and angular, with
lyrate leaves below, entire leaves above, having purple solitary
flowers.
C. cyaneus. L. Blue Bottle. A common ornamental flower
in gardens, with funnel-form ray-flowers, blue, and whitish-blue ;
a common weed over Europe, and also used as a border-plant.
Loudon. Partially naturalized.
C. benedicta. L. Blessed Thistle. Named for its supposed
medicinal properties. It is common in gardens for ornament.
A native of Spain.
I va. L. 17. 4.
A North American genus of 5 species, found chiefly at the
South ; said to be named because the odor resembles that of the
ancient Iva. Loudon.
I. frutescens. L. Marsh Elder. Highwater Shrub. Grows
about salt marshes, fleshy, and rather shrubby, with nearly axillary
branches ; leaves roughish, serrate, ovate-lanceolate, 3-nerved ;
flowers small, green, drooping, in racemes.
C alendula. L. 17. 4. Marygold.
Named from the Latin for the beginning of a month, because it
blossoms every month ; about 30 species, belonging to Europe and
the adjacent countries, and the Cape of Good Hope.
C. officinalis. L. Pot Marygold. A native of the South of
Europe, and cultivated from time immemorial ; used formerly in
soups to give color and flavor, and for its supposed many vir