The stalk varies in height from 1 to 4 feet; it is single, and leafy, somewhat twisting, tougher in fibre than S. asper, hollow, with a milky juice, and smooth. Color, a cool green.
The curiously cut leaf (about 6 inches long) is divided into a large triangular tip, a pair of acute-angled flaring side divisions, and narrow long-pointed bases which project like sharp-pointed wings beyond the stalk they clasp. Occasional leaves are not cut, and are merely lance-shaped. The midrib is flat above, and round beneath; the margin is toothed, with fine, weak spines; the texture is firm, and the surface is smooth and shining. Color, a fine cool green, the underside silvery with bloom. The arrangement is alternate.
The flowers are similar in color, size, and arrangement to S. asper. The foot-stems are sometimes bristly with short hairs, and at their junction occurs a long-pointed, small leaf, whose margin is entire. Below the flower-cluster the stalk is bare for a considerable space; single flower-heads spring from the angles of the leaves the greater part of its height.
The immature flower-heads are wrapped in a woolly blanket. The leaf is something like a Dandelion’s in shape, and interesting from a decorative point of view. These plants are said to be common to many countries,—Europe, Africa, and New Zealand. In the last-named region an old traveller says the parrots “of beauteous dyes, but odious accents” feed upon it.
COMMON SOW THISTLE: S. oleraceus.
| Chicory. | Cichorium Intybus. |
| Succory. | |
| Blue Sailors. |
Found, from July to September, growing in dry waste places.
The stalk, which varies from 2 to 4 feet in height, is branching, and leafy, rather large, stout and tough of fibre, and rigid in growth; it is grooved and hairy. The color is gray-green.
The leaf is not large, oblong in shape, with a sharp tip; the margin is slightly notched, with spreading hairs along the edge; the midrib is strong and the surface is hairy; the gesture curving, or wavy. In color, gray-green. The lower leaves are sharply cut at the base. The arrangement is alternate, and the leaves clasp the stalk.