Golden Rag-wort.Senecio aureus.Squaw-weed.
Found in May or June in pasture lands.
The stalk, which grows from 1 to 8 feet high, is single, somewhat rigid in bearing, leafy, hollow, and woody-fibred, with a grooved surface. Its color is green, with dull brown streaks.
The lower leaves are simple, and round or heart or lyre-shaped, with toothed margins, and are set on long stems; the upper leaves are long and narrow, their margins deeply cleft, and are set upon the stalk, partly clasping it. The texture is thin, and surface smooth. A rich green in color.
The bloom is small, of a deep orange hue; it is gathered in a close head, surrounded by 6 to 14 short rays, which have slightly notched tips, are of fine texture, and are an absolute orange-yellow color. The heads are set in a smooth, deep cup, of a yellow-green color tipped with red; they are arranged, on long slender stems, in a loose terminal cluster.
Occasionally the flower-stems bear thread-like leaves; sometimes the grooved stalk is slightly twisted. The leafage is inclined to curl, and with its fine deep notches presents a feathery appearance. The foot-tuft of leaves is interesting in arrangement.