Fleabane.
Conyza.
A pretty wild plant, frequent about damp places, with whitish leaves and large yellow flowers in autumn. It is two feet high. The stalk is round and erect, very firm and strong, and is often of a reddish colour. The leaves are numerous, and stand irregularly; they are above an inch long, moderately broad, of a rough surface, and whitish green. The flowers stand at the top of the branches; they are broader than a shilling, yellow, and composed of many narrow petals. The whole plant has a disagreeable smell.
It is disputed whether this kind of fleabane, or another which is smaller, and has globous flowers, have the greater virtue; but most give it for this. The juice of the whole plant cures the itch, applied externally; and the very smell of the herb is said to destroy fleas.
