S. lanceolata has lance-shaped or linear leaves, and flowers which grow in flat-topped clusters, unlike other members of the family; the information that this is a golden-rod often creates surprise, as for some strange reason it seems to be confused with the tansy.
The sweet golden-rod, S. odorata, is easily recognized by its fragrant, shining, dotted leaves. S. cæsia, or the blue-stemmed, is a wood-species and among the latest of the year, putting forth its bright clusters for nearly the whole length of its stem long after many of its brethren look like brown wraiths of their former selves. The silver rod, S. bicolor, whose whitish flowers are a departure from the family habit, also survives the early cold and holds its own in the dry woods.
The only species native to Great Britain is S. Virga-aurea.
The generic name is from two Greek words which signify to make whole, and refer to the healing properties which have been attributed to the genus.
Elecampane.
Inula Helenium. Composite Family (p. [13]).
Stem.—Stout, three to five feet high. Leaves.—Alternate, large, woolly beneath, the upper partly clasping. Flower-heads.—Yellow, large, composed of both ray and disk-flowers.
PLATE LVI
ELECAMPANE.—I. Helenium.
When we see these great yellow disks peeping over the pasture walls or flanking the country lanes, we feel that midsummer is at its height. Flowers are often subservient courtiers, and make acknowledgment of whatever debt they owe by that subtlest of flatteries—imitation. Did not the blossoms of the dawning year frequently wear the livery of the snow which had thrown its protecting mantle over their first efforts? And these newcomers—whose gross, rotund countenances so clearly betray the results of high living—do not they pay their respects to their great benefactor after the same fashion?—with the result that a myriad miniature suns shine upward from meadow and roadside.
The stout, mucilaginous root of this plant is valued by farmers as a horse-medicine, especially in epidemics of epizootic, one of its common names in England being horse-heal.