Calyx subcylindricus, imbricatus, muticus.
Empalement nearly cylindrical, imbricated, without awns.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER, &C.
Serratula, foliis linearibus, basi ciliatis, floribus sessilibus lateralibus spicatis, caule simplici. Gmel. Syst. Nat. 2. 1185.—Ait. Hort. Kew. 3. 138.
Serratula, with linear leaves, ciliated at the base, sessile lateral spiked flowers, and a simple stem.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. A radical leaf.
2.The empalement spread open.
3.A floret.
4.The same, cut open.
5. The seed-bud and pointal
The Serratula spicata is a native of Carolina; but has been cultivated in the gardens of this country ever since the year 1732; notwithstanding which it is by no means a frequent plant in collections; which I should conceive arises from its being rather difficult to increase.
Although a syngenesious plant, its root is of the tuberous kind; which is a peculiarity almost unparalleled in that extensive class. The flowering-stems shoot up late in spring, and are chiefly simple: they rise to the height of one or two feet, furnished with long linear leaves; the uppermost of which are gradually shortened, and they are all more or less ciliated near the base; but in this respect they are either liable to differ very considerably, or there are several varieties (perhaps species) of the plant. There is likewise another strikingly singular trait in the character of this Serratula: the flowers commence opening at the top of the spike first, and continue flowering downwards; instead of upwards, in the usual manner; which is a circumstance I cannot recollect having seen in any other plants; except Agave virginica and Allium descendens. Cultivators usually suppose the name of the last-mentioned plant to apply to its roots striking deep into the earth: but this we apprehend is an erroneous supposition; for it is clearly allusive to its perverted mode of flowering.
The spiked-flowered Saw-wort flowers in July, loves a light soil in the open air; and is propagated, although slowly, by parting its roots after the stems die down.