Chapter X: Part III (2)

4. =Àcer rùbrum=, L. (RED MAPLE.) Leaves cordate at base and cleft into 3 to 5 acute-notched, irregularly toothed lobes, whitish beneath, turning a bright crimson in early autumn. Flowers usually scarlet, rarely yellowish, in close clusters along the branches, appearing before the leaves in the spring. Fruit often reddish, small, with the wings at about a right angle. A rather small, somewhat spreading tree with reddish branches; wild in wet places and often cultivated.

5. =Àcer Pseudoplátanus=, L. (SYCAMORE-MAPLE.) Leaves thickish, cordate, downy beneath, with 5 rather crenately toothed lobes, on long, often reddish petioles. Flowers in long pendulous racemes, appearing after the leaves. Fruit hanging on the tree till after the leaves fall in the autumn, the wings forming about a right angle. A rather large, spreading tree, 30 to 80 ft. high, with reddish-brown twigs. Cultivated; from Europe. Many varieties of this species are sold by the nurserymen; among them may be mentioned the Purple-leaved, Golden-leaved, Silver-leaved, Tricolored, etc.

6. =Àcer saccharìnum=, Wang. (SUGAR OR ROCK MAPLE.) Leaves deeply 3- to 5-lobed, with rounded notches; lobes acute, few-toothed; base heart-shaped, smooth above, glaucous beneath. Flowers hanging in umbel-like clusters at the time the leaves are expanding in the spring. Fruit with wings not quite forming a right angle. A large (50 to 100 ft. high), very symmetrical tree, ovate in form, with whitish-brown twigs. Wild throughout, and extensively cultivated in the streets of cities.

Var. _nigrum_, Torr. and Gray. (Black Sugar-maple.) Leaves scarcely paler beneath, but often minutely downy; lobes wider, often shorter and entire; notch at the base often closed (the under leaf in the figure). Found with the other Sugar-maple, and quite variable.

7. =Àcer macrophýllum=, Ph. (LARGE-LEAVED OR CALIFORNIA MAPLE.) Leaves very large, 8 to 10 in. broad; 5-, sometimes 7-lobed, with deep, rounded notches; lobes themselves somewhat 3-lobed and repand-notched; pubescent beneath. Flowers yellow, in erect panicles, fragrant, blooming after the leaves are expanded. Fruit large, with the seeded portion hairy; wings at about a right angle. Tree very large (100 ft. high); wood soft, whitish, beautifully veined. Twigs brown; buds green. Cultivated; from the Pacific coast, but not hardy north of 40° N. latitude.

8. =Àcer platanoìdes=, L. (NORWAY MAPLE.) Leaves large, smooth, 5-, rarely 7-cleft, with cordate base; lobes acute, with few coarse, sharp teeth, bright green both sides. The leaves resemble those of the Sycamore (Platanus). Flowers a little later than the leaves in spring, in stalked corymbs, less drooping than the Sugar-maple (No. 6). Fruit with wings diverging in a straight line. A medium-sized, broad, rounded tree with brown twigs and milky juice, best seen at the bases of the young leaves. Cultivated throughout.

9. =Àcer Lætum.= (COLCHICUM-LEAVED MAPLE.) Leaves 5- to 7-lobed, scarcely heart-shaped at base, smooth and green on both sides; juice milky; the lobes usually without any notches or irregularities, sometimes with about three winding sinuations. Flowers in erect corymbs. Differs from Acer platanoides in having the lobes of the leaves more nearly entire, and the fruit much smaller with wings not so broadly spreading.

10. =Àcer campéstre=, L. (ENGLISH OR CORK-BARK MAPLE.) Leaves cordate, with usually 5 roundish lobes, sparingly crenate or rather undulated; juice milky. Racemes of flowers erect, appearing after the leaves in spring. Wings of the fruit broadly spreading; fruit ripening very late. A low (15 to 30 ft. high), round-headed tree, with the twigs and smaller branches covered with corky bark. Occasionally cultivated; from Europe.

Var. _variegatum_ has white blotched leaves.

11. =Àcer palmàtum=, Thunb. (PALMATE-LEAVED JAPAN MAPLE.) Leaves small, smooth, palmately parted into 5 to 9 quite regularly serrated lobes. Flowers in small umbels. A very low tree, almost a shrub; cultivated; from Japan; probably hardy throughout. There are a great number of Japan Maples, many of them probably varieties of this species, others hybrids. The leaves of some are so divided and dissected as to form merely a fringe or feather. In color they range from pure green to the richest reds.

12. =Àcer circinàtum=, Pursh. (ROUND-LEAVED OR VINE MAPLE.) Leaves orbicular, with 7 to 11 serrated, acute lobes, a heart-shaped base, reddish-green color, and both surfaces smooth. Corymbs of purplish flowers, small and hanging on long peduncles; appearing after the leaves. Wings of the fruit diverging in a straight line. A small tree or tall shrub, 10 to 30 ft. high, of spreading habit, with smooth bark, and pale brown twigs; cultivated; from the Pacific coast of North America.

13. =Àcer Tartáricum=, L. (TARTARIAN MAPLE.) Leaves ovate, slightly cordate, rarely lobed, serrated, light-colored, expanding very early in the spring. Panicle of greenish-yellow flowers erect, blooming after the leaves have expanded. Wings of the fruit parallel or sometimes touching. A small tree, sometimes shrubby in growth, of irregular form, with brown twigs; rarely cultivated; from Europe.

GENUS =26. NEGÚNDO.=

Leaves pinnate, of 3 to 5 leaflets. Flowers rather inconspicuous. Fruit a two-winged key as in Acer, in drooping racemes.

=Negúndo aceroìdes=, Moench. (ASH-LEAVED MAPLE. BOX-ELDER.) Leaves pinnate, of 3 to 5 (rarely 7) coarsely and sparingly toothed leaflets. Flowers staminate and pistillate on separate trees, in drooping clusters rather earlier than the leaves. Fruit on only a portion of the trees; wings forming less than a right angle. A rather small (30 to 60 ft. high), rapidly growing tree, with light pea-green twigs; wild from Pennsylvania and south, and cultivated throughout.

Var. _Californicum_, Torr. and Gray (the under drawing in the figure), has leaflets more deeply cut, thicker, and quite hairy; it is occasionally cultivated.

ORDER =XVI. ANACARDIÁCEÆ.=

(CASHEW FAMILY.)

Trees and shrubs, mainly of the tropical regions, here represented by only one genus:

GENUS =27. RHÚS.=

Low trees or shrubs with acrid, often poisonous, usually milky juice, and dotless, alternate, usually pinnately compound leaves. Flowers greenish-white or yellowish, in large terminal panicles. Fruit small (1/8 in.), indehiscent, dry drupes in large clusters, generally remaining on through the autumn.

* Leaves simple, rounded, entire 6, 7.

* Leaves once-pinnate. (=A.=)

=A.= Twigs very hairy; rachis not winged; leaflets 11 to 31 1.

=A.= Twigs downy; rachis wing-margined; leaflets entire or
nearly so 3.

=A.= Twigs smooth. (=B.=)

=B.= Rachis of leaf broadly winged; leaflets serrate 5.

=B.= Rachis not winged. (=C.=)

=C.= Leaflets 11 to 31, serrate; fruit hairy 2.

=C.= Leaflets 7 to 13, entire; fruit smooth; poisonous 4.

* Leaves twice-pinnate; variety under 2.

1. =Rhús týphina=, L. (STAG-HORN SUMAC.) Leaflets 11 to 31, oblong-lanceolate, pointed, serrate (rarely laciniate), pale beneath. Branches and footstalks densely hairy. Fruit globular, in large, dense, erect panicles, covered with crimson hairs. Shrub or tree, 10 to 30 ft. high. It is very common along fences and on hillsides. The wood is orange-colored and brittle.

2. =Rhús glàbra=, L. (SMOOTH SUMAC.) Leaflets 11 to 31, lanceolate-oblong, pointed, serrate, smooth, glaucous white beneath. Branches not hairy. Fruit globular, in a rather open, spreading cluster, covered densely with crimson hairs. A shrubby plant, 2 to 12 ft. high, found quite abundantly in rocky or barren soil throughout.

Var. _laciniata_ is frequently planted for ornament. It has very irregularly twice-pinnate leaves drooping gracefully from the branches.

3. =Rhús copallìna=, L. (DWARF MOUNTAIN SUMAC.) Branches and stalks downy; leafstalk wing-margined between the 9 to 21 oblong-lanceolate, usually entire leaflets, which are oblique at base and smooth and shining above. Wild in rocky hills throughout; often cultivated. North, a beautiful shrub; south, a tree. 2 to 25 ft. high.

4. =Rhús venenàta=, DC. (POISON-SUMAC. POISON-DOGWOOD. POISON-ELDER.) Leaflets 7 to 13, obovate-oblong, entire, abruptly pointed, smooth or nearly so. Fruit small, globular, smooth, dun-colored, in loose axillary panicles hanging on late in winter; the stone striate. This is a very poisonous species (to the touch), 6 to 18 ft. high, growing in swamps. Rarely at all tree-like.

5. =Rhús Osbéckii=, DC. (CHINESE SUMAC.) Leaves very large, pinnate, assuming in autumn a rich reddish-fawn or orange color; the leafstalk broadly winged between the leaflets; leaflets serrate. A small ornamental tree, 10 to 25 ft. high; cultivated; from China; quite hardy in the Northern States.

6. =Rhús Cótinus=, L. (SMOKE-TREE. VENETIAN SUMAC.) Leaves smooth, obovate, entire, on slender petioles. Flowers greenish, minute, in terminal or axillary panicles. Fruit seldom found. Usually most of the flowers are abortive, while their pedicels lengthen, branch, and form long feather-like hairs, making large cloud-like branches that look somewhat like smoke (whence the name). A shrub or small tree, 6 to 10 ft. high, often planted for ornament; from Europe.

7. =Rhús cotinoìdes=, Nutt. (AMERICAN SMOKE-TREE.) Leaves thin, oval, obtuse, entire, acute at base, 3 to 6 in. long, smooth or nearly so. Flowers and fruit like those of the cultivated species (Rhus Cotinus). A tree 20 to 40 ft. high; stem sometimes a foot or more in diameter in the Southern States; wild in Tennessee, west and south. Rare in cultivation.

ORDER =XVII. LEGUMINOSÆ.= (PULSE FAMILY.)

A very large order of plants, mainly herbaceous; found in all climates. A few are shrubby, and others are from small to large trees.

GENUS =28. LABÚRNUM.=

Low trees or shrubs with alternate, palmate leaves of three leaflets. Flowers conspicuous, pea-blossom-shaped, in long hanging racemes, in late spring. Fruit pea-pod-shaped, dark brown, and many-seeded; ripe in autumn.

=Labúrnum vulgàre.= (LABURNUM. GOLDEN-CHAIN. BEAN-TREFOIL TREE.) Leaves petiolate, with 3 ovate-lanceolate leaflets, pubescent beneath. Flowers bright yellow, nearly 1 in. long, in long (1 ft.), pendulous, simple racemes; in late spring. Pods 2 in. long, linear, many-seeded, covered with closely appressed pubescence; one edge thick; ripe in autumn. A low, very ornamental tree, 10 to 20 ft. high, often cultivated; from Switzerland. Varieties with reddish, purple, and white flowers are also in cultivation.

Var. _alpinus_ has smooth pods.

GENUS =29. CARAGÀNA.=

Leaves alternate, deciduous, abruptly once-pinnate; leaflets mucronate; stipules usually spinescent. Flowers pea-flower-shaped, mostly yellow. Trees or shrubs of Asia.

=Caragàna arboréscens=, Larn. (PEA-TREE.) Leaves with 4 to 6 pairs of oval-oblong, mucronate-pointed, hairy leaflets; petioles unarmed; stipules spinescent. Flowers yellow, blooming in May. Pods brown, ripe in August. A low, stiff, erect tree, 10 to 15 ft. high; in poor soil a bush. From Siberia; frequent in cultivation.

GENUS =30. CLADRÁSTIS.=

Small tree with alternate, odd-pinnate leaves, the base of the petiole hollow, and inclosing the leaf-buds of the next year. Flowers large, pea-blossom-like in shape, in large clusters. Fruit pea-pod-like in shape and size. Wood light yellow, firm and hard.

=Cladrástis tinctòria=, Raf. (YELLOW-WOOD.) Leaflets 7 to 11, oval to ovate, 3 to 4 in. long, beautiful light green in color. Flowers 1 in. long, white, not so fragrant as the common Locust, in hanging panicles 10 to 20 in. long; blooming in June. Pods 2 in. long, ripe in August. Wild but rare in Kentucky and south. A beautiful tree, 20 to 50 ft. high, with very smooth grayish bark; rarely cultivated.

GENUS =31. ROBÍNIA.=

Trees or shrubs with alternate, odd-pinnate leaves, having spines on each side of the stalk in place of stipules. Leafstalk thickened near the base, and covering 2 to 3 buds for the growth of a branch for the next year. An axillary bud also found that may produce a branch the same year as the leaf. Flowers large, pea-blossom-shaped, in large clusters. Fruit a pea-shaped pod.

* Branchlets and leafstalks not sticky 1.

* Branchlets and leafstalks sticky 2.

1. =Robínia Pseudacácia=, L. (COMMON LOCUST.) Leaflets 9 to 19, small, oblong-ovate, entire, thin. Twigs purplish-brown, slender, smooth, not sticky. Flowers white, fragrant, in hanging racemes, 3 to 6 in. long. June. Pods flat, smooth, purplish-brown, ripe in September. An irregularly growing, slender tree, 70 to 80 ft. high, with white or greenish-yellow, very durable wood, and on old trees very rough bark with long, deep furrows. Native; Pennsylvania, west and south, and extensively planted and naturalized throughout. A number of varieties, some of which are thornless, are in cultivation.

2. =Robínia viscòsa=, Vent. (CLAMMY LOCUST.) Leaflets 11 to 25, ovate-oblong, sometimes slightly heart-shaped at base, tipped with a short bristle. Twigs and leafstalks sticky to the touch. Flowers in a short, rather compact, upright raceme, rose-colored and inodorous. A small tree, 30 to 40 ft. high; native south, and has been quite extensively cultivated north.

3. =Robínia híspida=, L. (BRISTLY LOCUST. ROSE-ACACIA.), with bristly leafstalks and branchlets, and large rose-colored flowers, is only a bush. Often cultivated. Wild from Virginia and south.

GENUS =32. CÉRCIS.=

Small trees or shrubs, with alternate, simple, heart-shaped leaves. Flowers in umbel-like clusters along the branches, appearing before the leaves, and shaped like pea-blossoms. Fruit pea-like pods, remaining on the tree throughout the year. Wood hard, heavy, and beautifully blotched or waved with black, green, and yellow, on a gray ground.

1. =Cércis Canadénsis=, L. (JUDAS-TREE. REDBUD.) Leaves acutely pointed, smooth, dark green, glossy. Flowers bright red-purple. Pods nearly sessile, 3 to 4 in. long, brown when ripe in August. A small ornamental tree, 10 to 30 ft. high, with smooth bark and hard apple-tree-like wood; wild from Central New York southward, and often cultivated.

2. =Cércis siliquástrum= (EUROPEAN JUDAS-TREE.), from Europe, with obtusely pointed, somewhat kidney-shaped leaves, and white to purple flowers, is sometimes cultivated. It is not so tall or tree-like as the American species.

GENUS =33. GYMNÓCLADUS.=

Tall trees with alternate, very large (2 to 4 ft. long), unequally twice-pinnate leaves. Flowers white, conspicuous, in racemes at the ends of the branches. Fruit a large pea-like pod. Some trees are without fruit through the abortion of the pistils.

=Gymnócladus Canadénsis=, Lam. (KENTUCKY COFFEE-TREE.) Leaves 2 to 3 ft. long, often with the lower pinnæ simple and the upper pinnate. Leaflets ovate, of a dull bluish-green color. Shoots cane-like, blunt and stubby, quite erect. Bark exceedingly rough. Pod large, 6 to 10 in. long, 2 in. broad, with seeds over ½ in. across. A large (50 to 80 ft. high) tree with compact, tough, reddish wood. Wild from western New York southwestward, and occasionally cultivated as an ornamental tree.

GENUS =34. GLEDÍTSCHIA.=

Usually thorny trees with alternate, once to twice abruptly pinnate leaves. Flowers inconspicuous, greenish, in small spikes. Summer. Fruit a small or large pea-like pod, with one to many seeds; ripe in autumn, but often hanging on the trees through the winter.

1. =Gledítschia triacánthos=, L. (HONEY-LOCUST.) Leaflets lanceolate-oblong, somewhat serrate. Pods linear, 1 to 1½ ft. long, often twisted, filled with sweet pulp between the seeds. A large, handsome, clean tree, with usually many stout, much-branched thorns, especially abundant on bruised portions of the trunk and large branches; thorns compressed at base. Wild from Pennsylvania southward and westward, and extensively cultivated throughout.

A variety without thorns is frequently met with (var. _inermis_), also one with drooping foliage (var. _Bujotii pendula_).

2. =Gledítschia aquática=, Marsh. (WATER-LOCUST.) Leaflets ovate or oblong. Pods oval, 1 to 4 in. long, 1- to few-seeded, without pulp. A small tree with few slender, usually simple thorns; in swamps in southern Illinois and south. Occasionally planted for ornament. This species is quite similar to the preceding one, but the leaves are somewhat smaller, the thorns, though occasionally branching, do not branch so extensively, and the pod is very short and rounded.

3. =Gledítschia sinénsis=, Lam. (CHINESE HONEY-LOCUST.) A tree with stouter and more conical thorns, broader and more oval leaflets. A medium-sized or small tree, often cultivated. This species, like the others, has a thornless variety.

GENUS =35. ALBÍZZIA.=

Trees or shrubs with abruptly pinnate leaves. Fruit a broad-linear straight pod.

=Albízzia julibríssin=, Boivin. (SILK-TREE.) Leaves twice abruptly pinnate, of many (over 400) leaflets; leaflets semi-oblong, curved, entire, acute, with the midrib near the upper edge. Flowers in globose heads forming panicles. Fruit plain pods on short stems. A very beautiful small tree, introduced from Japan; probably not hardy north of Washington. The figure shows only one of the lowest and shortest side divisions (pinnæ) of the leaf. The pinnæ increase in length and number of leaflets to the end of the leaf.

ORDER =XVIII. ROSACEÆ.= (ROSE FAMILY.)

A large and very useful order of trees, shrubs, and herbs of temperate regions.

GENUS =36. PRÙNUS.=

Trees or shrubs with simple, alternate, deciduous, usually serrate, stipulate leaves, without lobes. The stems produce gum when injured. Foliage and nuts have flavor of peach-leaves. Flowers conspicuous, usually white, or light pink, often in clusters, peach-blossom-shaped; in early spring. Fruit in size from pea to peach, a rounded drupe with one stony-coated seed.

* Drupe large, soft velvety on the surface; stone rough (Peach,
Apricot) 1.

* Drupe medium, covered with a bloom; stone smooth, flattened
(Plums). (=A.=)

=A.= Usually thorny; wild, rarely cultivated. (=B.=)

=B.= Leaves acuminate 2, 3.

=B.= Leaves not acuminate 4, 5.

=A.= Not thorny; cultivated 6.

* Drupe medium to small, smooth, without bloom (Cherries).
(=C.=)

=C.= Drupes clustered in umbels, ½-1 in. in diameter. (=D.=)

=D.= Small cultivated tree; drupe globose, rather large,
very sour 9.

=D.= Large cultivated tree; drupe large, somewhat pitted
at the stem 8.

=D.= Rather small, native tree; drupe small, flesh thin 7.

=C.= Drupes clustered in racemes, 1/8 - 1/3 in. in diameter.
(=E.=)

=E.= Tall shrubs rather than trees; racemes short 11.

=E.= Trees; racemes quite elongated. (=F.=)

=F.= Stone of fruit somewhat roughened 12.

=F.= Stone smooth 10.

1. =Prùnus Pérsica=, L. (COMMON PEACH.) Leaves lanceolate, serrate. Flowers rose-colored, nearly sessile, very early in bloom. Fruit clothed with velvety down, large; stone rough-wrinkled. A small tree, 15 to 30 ft. high, cultivated in numberless varieties for its fruit. Var. _lævis_ (Nectarine) has smooth-skinned fruit.

2. =Prùnus Americàna=, Marsh. (WILD YELLOW OR RED PLUM.) Leaves ovate or somewhat obovate, conspicuously pointed, coarsely or doubly serrate, very veiny, smooth when mature. Fruit with little or no bloom, ½ to 1 in. in diameter, yellow, orange, or red; skin tough and bitter. Stone with two sharp edges. A small, thorny tree, 8 to 20 ft. high, common in woodlands and on river-banks. Many improved varieties, some thornless, are in cultivation. Wood reddish color.

3. =Prùnus Alleghaniénsis=, Porter. (ALLEGHANY PLUM.) Leaves lanceolate to oblong-ovate, often long-acuminate, finely and sharply serrate, softly pubescent when young, smooth when old; fruit globose-ovoid, under ½ in., very dark purple, with a bloom; stone turgid, a shallow groove on one side and a broad, flat ridge on the other. A low, straggling bush, occasionally a tree, 3 to 15 ft. high. Mountains of Pennsylvania.

4. =Prùnus Chicàsa=, Michx. (CHICASAW PLUM.) Leaves long, narrow, almost lanceolate, acute, finely serrate, thin. Flowers on short stalks. Fruit globular, ½ to 2/3 in. in diameter, thin-skinned, without bloom, yellowish-red, pleasant to taste. Stone globular, without sharp edges. A thorny shrub or small tree, 6 to 15 ft. high; wild in New Jersey, west and south, and often cultivated.

5. =Prùnus spinòsa=, L. (SLOE. BLACKTHORN. BULLACE PLUM.) Leaves obovate-oblong to lance-oblong, sharply serrate, soon smooth; leafstalk smooth; fruit small, globular, black, with a bloom; the stone rounded, acute at one edge; flesh greenish, astringent. A low tree with thorny branches; it is becoming naturalized along roadsides and waste places; from Europe. Var. _instititia_ (Bullace Plum) is less thorny, and has the leafstalk and lower side of the leaves pubescent.

6. =Prùnus doméstica=, L. (COMMON GARDEN PLUM.) Leaves 1 to 3 in. long, oval or ovate-lanceolate, acute to obtuse. Flowers white, nearly solitary. Drupe globular, obovoid to ovoid, of many colors (black, white, etc.), covered with a rich glaucous bloom. A small tree, 10 to 20 ft. high, in cultivation everywhere for its fruit. Over a hundred varieties are named in the catalogues.

7. =Prùnus Pennsylvánica=, L. f. (WILD RED CHERRY.) Leaves oblong-lanceolate, pointed, finely and sharply serrate, shining green, smooth on both sides. Flowers many in an umbel on long stems. Fruit round, light red, quite small, ¼ in. in diameter, sour. A small tree, 20 to 30 ft. high, in rocky woods; common north and extending southward along the Alleghanies to North Carolina.

8. =Prùnus àvium=, L. (BIRD-CHERRY OR ENGLISH CHERRY.) Leaves oval-lanceolate, sharp-pointed, coarsely or doubly serrate. Flowers in sessile umbels, opening when the leaves appear. Fruit of various colors, somewhat heart-shaped. This is the Cherry tree, 30 to 50 ft. high, of which there are many named varieties usually cultivated for the fruit.

9. =Prùnus Cérasus=, L. (GARDEN RED CHERRY. MORELLO CHERRY.) Leaves obovate and lance-ovate, serrate, on slender spreading branches. Flowers rather large. Fruit globular, bright red to dark purple, very sour; in sessile umbels. A small, round-headed tree, 10 to 30 ft. high, often cultivated. The preceding species and this one are the parents of most of the Cherry trees in cultivation.

10. =Prùnus serótina=, Ehrh. (WILD BLACK CHERRY.) Leaves oblong or lance-oblong, thickish, smooth, usually taper-pointed, serrate, with incurved, short, thick teeth. Flowers in long racemes. June. Fruit as large as peas, purple-black, bitter; ripe in autumn. A fine tree, 15 to 60 ft. high, with reddish-brown branches. Wood reddish and valuable for cabinet-work. Common in woodlands and along fences.

11. =Prùnus Virginiàna=, L. (CHOKE-CHERRY.) Leaves thin, oval-oblong or obovate, abruptly pointed, very sharply, often doubly serrate, with slender teeth. Racemes of flowers and fruit short and close. Fruit dark crimson, stone smooth. Flowers in May; fruit ripe in August; not edible till fully ripe. A tall shrub, sometimes a tree, with grayish bark. River-banks, common especially northward.

12. =Prùnus Pàdus=, L. (SMALL BIRD-CHERRY.) Like Prunus Virginiana, excepting that the racemes are longer and drooping, and the stone is roughened. Occasionally planted for ornament.

GENUS =37. PYRUS.=

Trees and shrubs, with alternate, stipulate, simple, or pinnately compound leaves. Flowers conspicuous, white to pink, apple-blossom-shaped (5 petals); in spring. Fruit a fleshy pome, with the cells formed by papery or cartilaginous membranes within juicy flesh.

* Leaves deeply pinnatifid or fully pinnate (Mountain Ashes)
(=A.=)

=A.= Leaf deeply pinnatifid, sometimes fully divided at
the base. 6.

=A.= Leaf once-pinnate throughout. (=B.=)

=B.= Leaf-buds pointed, smooth and somewhat glutinous 7.

=B.= Leaf-buds more or less hairy 8, 9.

* Leaves simple and not pinnatifid. (=C.=)

=C.= Leaves entire; fruit solitary (Quinces) 5.

=C.= Leaves serrate; fruit clustered. (=D.=)

=D.= Fruit large, sunken at both ends (Apples) 1.

=D.= Fruit small (½-1 in.), sour, much sunken at the stem end
and but little at the other (Crab-apples). (=E.=)

=E.= Leaves very narrow; fruit ½ in. 2.

=E.= Leaves broad; fruit 1 in. 3.

=D.= Fruit usually obovate, not sunken at the stem end (Pears). 4.

1. =Pyrus Màlus=, L. (COMMON APPLE-TREE.) Leaves simple, ovate, evenly crenate or serrate, smooth on the upper surface and woolly on the lower. Flowers large (1 in.), white, tinged with pink, in small corymbs. May. Fruit large, sunken at both ends, especially at base; ripe from August to October, according to variety. A flat-topped tree, 20 to 40 ft. high, cultivated in hundreds of named varieties; from Europe.

2. =Pyrus angustifòlia=, Ait. (NARROW-LEAVED CRAB-APPLE.) Leaves simple, lanceolate or oblong, often acute at base, mostly serrate, smooth. Flowers large (2/3 in.), rose-colored, fragrant, in small, simple, umbel-like clusters. Fruit very sour, small (½ in.). Twigs lead-colored and speckled. A small tree, 12 to 20 ft. high. Pennsylvania and southward.

3. =Pyrus coronària=, L. (AMERICAN OR GARLAND CRAB-APPLE.) Leaves simple, ovate, often rather heart-shaped, cut-serrate, often 3-lobed, soon smooth. Flowers large (¾ in.), few, in a cluster, rose-colored, very fragrant. Fruit very sour and astringent, flattened, broad, 1 in. or more in diameter, yellowish green. Small tree, 10 to 25 ft. high; New York, west and south, also frequently cultivated.

4. =Pyrus commùnis=, L. (COMMON PEAR-TREE.) Leaves simple, ovate, serrate, smooth on both sides, at least when mature. Flowers large (over 1 in.), white, with purple anthers. April and May. Fruit large, usually obovate and mainly sunken at the large end; ripe July to October, according to the variety. A pyramidal-shaped tree, 30 to 70 ft. high, with smooth bark and often somewhat thorny branches. Of several hundred named varieties, native to Europe. Cultivated for its fruit. Wood slightly tinged with red; strong, and of fine grain.

5. =Pyrus vulgàris.= (QUINCE. COMMON QUINCE-TREE.) Leaves ovate, obtuse at base, entire, hairy beneath. Flowers solitary, large, 1 in., white or pale rose-color. Fruit large, hard, orange-yellow, of peculiar sour flavor; seeds mucilaginous; ripens in October. A low tree, 10 to 20 ft. high, with a crooked stem and rambling branches; from Europe. Several varieties in cultivation.

6. =Pyrus pinnatífida=, Ehrh. (OAK-LEAVED MOUNTAIN-ASH.) Leaves pinnately cleft and often fully pinnate at base, hairy beneath. Pome globose, ¼ in., scarlet, ripe in autumn. A cultivated tree, 20 to 30 ft. high; from Europe.

7. =Pyrus Americàna=, DC. (AMERICAN MOUNTAIN-ASH.) Leaflets 13 to 15, lanceolate, bright green, nearly smooth, taper-pointed, sharply serrate with pointed teeth. Leaf-buds pointed, glabrous and somewhat glutinous. Flowers white, 1/3 in., in large, flat, compound cymes. In June. Fruit berry-like pomes, the size of small peas, bright scarlet when ripe in September, and hanging on the tree till winter. A tall shrub or tree, 15 to 30 ft. high, in swamps and mountain woods; more abundant northward. Often cultivated for the showy clusters of berries in autumn.

8. =Pyrus sambucifòlia=, Cham. & Schlecht. (ELDER-LEAVED MOUNTAIN-ASH.) Leaflets oblong, oval or lance-ovate, obtuse (sometimes abruptly sharp-pointed), usually doubly serrate with rather spreading teeth, generally pale beneath. Leaf-buds somewhat hairy. Flowers and berries larger, but in smaller clusters, than the preceding species. The berries globose when ripe, 1/3 in. broad, bright red. This species, much like Pyrus Americana, is found wild in northern New England and westward.

9. =Pyrus aucupària=, Gaertn. (EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN-ASH, OR ROWAN-TREE.) Much like Pyrus Americana, but the leaflets are paler and more obtuse, with their lower surface downy. Leaf-buds blunter and densely covered with hairs. Flowers larger, ½ in. or more in diameter. Fruit also much larger, sometimes nearly ½ in. in diameter. Beautiful tree, 20 to 30 ft. high, often cultivated.

GENUS =38. CRATÆGUS.=

Thorny shrubs or small trees with simple, alternate, serrate, doubly serrate or lobed leaves. Flowers cherry-like blossoms, usually white in color and growing in corymbs, generally on the ends of side shoots; in spring. Fruit a berry or drupe with 1 to 5 bony stones, tipped with the 5 persistent calyx-teeth; ripe in autumn.

* Calyx, stipules, bracts, etc., often glandular. (=A.=)

=A.= Flowers and fruit often over 6 in a cluster. (=B.=)

=B.= Leaves usually abrupt at base 1.

=B.= Leaves usually attenuate at base 2.

=A.= Flowers and fruit few, 1 to 6 in a cluster 10.

* Calyx, etc., without glands (No. 4 has glandular teeth to the
calyx); flowers many in a cluster. (=C.=)

=C.= Leaves more or less tapering at base. (=D.=)

=D.= Leaves generally lobed; cultivated, rarely escaped 3.

=D.= Leaves rarely lobed; native. (=E.=)

=E.= Leaves small, shining, crenate at the end 5.

=E.= Leaves villous or pubescent, at least when young 9.

=E.= Leaves smooth or only downy at the axils,
acutely serrate. South 7.

=C.= Leaves usually abrupt at base, sometimes cordate. (=F.=)

=F.= Leaves downy when young. (=G.=)

=G.= Leaves usually lobed 4.

=G.= Leaves rarely lobed; veins very prominent 8.

=F.= Leaves quite smooth 6.

1. =Cratægus coccínea=, L. (SCARLET-FRUITED THORN.) Leaves bright green, smooth, thin, roundish-ovate, sharply cut-toothed or lobed, on slender petioles. Branches reddish, villous-pubescent; spines stout, chestnut-brown. Flowers large, ½ to 2/3 in., many in a corymb, on glandular peduncles. May to June. Fruit scarlet, round or pear-shaped, ½ in.; ripe in September, with from 1 to 5 cells and seeds. Tall shrub or low tree, 10 to 25 ft. high, in hedges and woods; common from Canada to Florida.

Var. _mollis_ has the shoots densely pubescent; leaves large, slender-petioled, cuneate, cordate or truncate at base, usually with acute narrow lobes, often rough above, and more or less densely pubescent beneath. Flowers large, 1 in.; fruit light scarlet with a light bloom, 1 in. broad.

2. =Cratægus Crus-gálli=, L. (COCKSPUR THORN.) Leaves smooth, thick, shining above, wedge-obovate, finely serrate above the middle, with a short petiole. There are broad and narrow-leaved varieties. Flowers large and numerous, in lateral corymbs. May to June. Fruit globular, 1/3 in. broad, dull red; ripe in September and October. A small tree with a flat, bushy head, horizontal branches, and long, sharp thorns. Wild and common throughout, and often planted.

3. =Cratægus oxyacántha.= (ENGLISH HAWTHORN.) Leaves obovate, smooth, wedge-shaped at base, cut-lobed and toothed above. No glands. Flowers medium-sized, ½ in., single or double, white, rose, or pink-red, numerous in corymbs. In spring. Fruit coral-red, 1/3 in.; ripe in autumn. A small tree or shrub, fine for lawn; from Europe; also escaped in some places.

4. =Cratægus apiifólia=, Michx. (PARSLEY-LEAVED THORN.) Leaves small, ovate, with a broad truncate or heart-shaped base, pinnatifid into 5 to 7 crowded, irregularly toothed lobes; white and soft-downy when young, smoothish when grown; petioles slender. Flowers medium-sized, ½ in., many in a corymb, white. May to June. Fruit small, 1/3 in., coral-red, ripe in autumn. A handsome, low (10 to 20 ft. high), spreading tree, with flexible branches and white-downy twigs. Virginia and south, in moist woods.

5. =Cratægus spathulàta=, Michx. (SPATULATE-LEAVED THORN.) Leaves almost evergreen, thick, shining, spatulate, crenate toward the apex and nearly sessile, those on the young downy branches somewhat cut or lobed. Flowers small, ½ in., in large clusters. May. Fruit small, ¼ in., bright red; ripe in October. A small tree, 12 to 25 ft. high; Virginia and south.

6. =Cratægus cordàta=, Ait. (WASHINGTON THORN.) Leaves broadly triangular-ovate, somewhat heart-shaped, thin, deep shining green, smooth, often 3- to 5-lobed and serrate, on slender petioles. Flowers small, 2/5 in., many in terminal corymbs, white. May, June. Fruit scarlet, about the size of peas; ripe in September. A compact, close-headed, small tree, 15 to 25 ft. high, with many slender thorns. Virginia, Kentucky, and southward. Sometimes planted in the North for hedges.

7. =Cratægus víridis=, L. (TALL HAWTHORN.) Leaves ovate to ovate-oblong, or lanceolate, or oblong-obovate, mostly acute at both ends, on slender petioles; acutely serrate, often somewhat lobed and often downy in the axils. Flowers numerous, in large clusters. Fruit bright red, or orange, ovoid, small, ¼ in. broad. A small tree, 20 to 30 ft. high, with few large thorns or without thorns. Southern Illinois and Missouri, along the Mississippi and in the Southern States.

8. =Cratægus tomentòsa=, L. (BLACK OR PEAR HAWTHORN.) Leaves downy-pubescent on the lower side (at least when young), thickish, rather large, oval or ovate-oblong, sharply toothed and often cut-lobed below, abruptly narrowed into a margined petiole, the upper surface impressed along the main veins or ribs. Branches gray. Flowers ill-scented, many in a corymb. Fruit ½ in. long, obovate to globose, dull red. Shrub or tree, 10 to 30 ft. high, wild in western New York, west and south.

9. =Cratægus punctàta.= (DOTTED-FRUITED HAWTHORN.) Leaves rather small, mostly wedge-obovate, attenuate and entire below, unequally toothed above, rarely lobed, villous-pubescent, becoming smooth but dull, the veins prominent beneath and impressed above. Fruit globose, large, 1 in. broad, red to bright yellow; peduncles not glandular. Shrub to tree, 10 to 20 ft. high, with horizontal branches; Canada to Georgia.

10. =Cratægus flàva=, Ait. (YELLOW OR SUMMER HAW.) Leaves small, wedge-obovate, unequally toothed and cut above the middle; on short petioles; the teeth, stipules and petioles glandular. Flowers mostly solitary, white, large (¾ in). May. Fruit usually pear-shaped, quite large (¾ in. long), yellow or greenish-yellow, sometimes tinged or spotted with red, pleasant-flavored. Ripe in autumn. A low spreading tree, 15 to 20 ft. high. Virginia, south and west, in sandy soil.

Var. _pubescens_ is downy-or villous-pubescent when young, and has thicker leaves and larger and redder fruit.

GENUS =39. AMELÁNCHIER.=

Small trees or shrubs with simple, deciduous, alternate, sharply serrate leaves; cherry-blossom-like, white flowers, in racemes at the end of the branches, before the leaves are fully expanded. Fruit a small apple-like pome; seeds 10 or less, in separate cartilaginous-coated cells.

=Amelánchier Canadénsis=, Torr. & Gray. (SHAD-BUSH. SERVICE-BERRY.) A very variable species with many named varieties. The leaves, 1 to 3½ in. long, vary from narrow-oblong to roundish or cordate; bracts and stipules silky-ciliate. Flowers large, in drooping racemes, in early spring, with petals from 2 to 5 times as long as wide. Fruit globular, ½ in. broad, purplish, sweet, edible; ripe in June. It varies from a low shrub to a middle-sized tree, 5 to 30 ft. high.

ORDER =XIX. HAMAMELÍDEÆ.=

(WITCH-HAZEL FAMILY.)

A small family of trees and shrubs represented in most countries.

GENUS =40. HAMAMÈLIS.=

Tall shrubs, rarely tree-like, with alternate, straight-veined, 2-ranked, oval, wavy-margined leaves. Flowers conspicuous, yellow, 4-parted; blooming in the autumn while the leaves are dropping, and continuing in bloom through part of the winter. Fruit rounded capsules which do not ripen till the next summer.

=Hamamèlis Virginiána=, L. (WITCH-HAZEL.) The only species; 10 to 30 ft. high; rarely grows with a single trunk, but usually forms a slender, crooked-branched shrub. Flowers sessile, in small clusters of 3 to 4, in an involucre in the axils of the leaves.

GENUS =41. LIQUIDÁMBAR.=

Trees with alternate, simple, palmately cleft leaves. Flowers inconspicuous; in spring. Fruit a large (1 in.), globular, long-stalked, dry, open, rough catkin, hanging on the tree through the winter.

=Liquidámbar Styracíflua=, L. (SWEET GUM. BILSTED.) Leaves rounded, deeply 5- to 7-cleft, star-shaped, dark green, smooth and shining, glandular-serrate. Twigs often covered with corky ridges. A large, beautiful tree, 30 to 70 ft. high, with deeply furrowed bark. Connecticut, west and south; abundant south of 40° N. Lat. Well worthy of more extensive cultivation than it has yet received.

ORDER =XX. LYTHRÀCEÆ.=

(LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY.)

A small order of shrubs, herbs, or trees; mainly tropical.

GENUS =42. PÙNICA.=

Leaves simple, usually opposite, deciduous; flowers scarlet, with 5 petals and numerous stamens; fruit a many-seeded berry.

=Pùnica granàtum=, L. (POMEGRANATE-TREE.) Leaves opposite, lanceolate, smooth, entire; flowers large, both calyx and corolla scarlet and very ornamental; the fruit as large as an orange, fine-flavored. A tree-shaped plant, growing to the height of 20 ft. in the Southern States. If given some protection, it can be grown as far north as Washington. It has been cultivated from the earliest times, and is probably a native of western Asia.

GENUS =43. LAGERSTROEMIA.=

Flowers with 6 long-clawed petals inserted on the broadly spreading calyx; fruit 3- to 6-celled pods with many winged seeds.

=Lagerstroemia Índica=, L. (CRAPE-MYRTLE.) Leaves roundish-ovate, thick, smooth, short-petiolate; branches winged; flowers in terminal clusters with large, delicately crisped, long-stemmed petals of pink, purple, and other colors. A beautiful small tree, or usually a shrub, from India; often cultivated in the North in conservatories; hardy as far north as Washington.

ORDER =XXI. ARALIÀCEÆ.= (GINSENG FAMILY.)

A small order of herbs, shrubs, and trees, here represented by the following genus:

GENUS =44. ARÀLIA.=

Herbs, shrubs, or trees, with pinnately or palmately compound leaves; here including Acanthopanax with palmately cleft leaves. Flowers whitish or greenish, in umbels, often forming large panicles. Fruit small, berry-like, several-celled, several-seeded.

* Leaves 2 to 3 times odd-pinnate (Aralia proper) 1, 2.

* Leaves simple, palmately cleft (Acanthopanax) 3.

1. =Aràlia spinòsa=, L. (ANGELICA-TREE. HERCULES'-CLUB.) Leaves large, crowded at the summit of the stem, twice or sometimes thrice odd-pinnate, usually prickly, with sessile, ovate, acuminate, deeply serrate leaflets, glaucous beneath. Large panicles of small whitish flowers in umbels, with involucres of few leaves. Berry small, ¼ in., 5-ribbed, crowned with the remains of the calyx. A tree-like plant, 8 to 12 ft. high, or in the Gulf States 30 ft. high, with the stem covered with numerous prickles. Usually dies to the ground after flowering. Wild in damp woods, Pennsylvania and south, and cultivated in the North.

2. =Aràlia Chinénsis.= Leaves more or less fully twice-pinnate; leaflets ovate-oblong, oblique at base, acuminate, sharply serrate, hairy. Flowers and fruit in large, branching, hairy panicles; thorns few, straight. A small tree, 10 to 15 ft. high; occasionally cultivated; from China.

3. =Aràlia (Acanthópanax) Maximowíczii.= Leaves long-petioled, simple, thick, palmately cleft, with 7 serrate lobes; old leaves smooth, the young with woolly bases. Panicles of flowers and fruit terminal; the berries striated. Tree-trunk usually quite prickly. This species is said to grow 50 ft. high in Japan. It has been recently introduced, and proves perfectly hardy in Massachusetts.

ORDER =XXII. CORNÀCEÆ.= (DOGWOOD FAMILY.)

A small order of shrubs and trees (rarely herbs) of temperate regions.

GENUS =45. CÓRNUS.=

Small trees or shrubs (one species an herb) with simple, entire, curved-veined, and (except in one species) opposite leaves. The curved parallel ribs of the leaves in all the species are quite peculiar and readily recognized. Flowers small, of 4 petals, in some species rendered very conspicuous by large bracts. Fruit small, usually bright-colored drupes in clusters; ripe from August to October. There are but 3 species that grow at all tree-like.

* Leaves opposite. (=A.=)

=A.= Fruit in close head-like clusters, red when ripe 1.

=A.= Fruit in open clusters. (=B.=)

=B.= Branches bright red; fruit white 2.

=B.= Branches brownish; fruit bright red 3.

* Leaves alternate; fruit blue 4.

1. =Córnus flórida=, L. (FLOWERING DOGWOOD.) Leaves ovate, pointed, acutish at base. Flowers in a head surrounded by 4 white bracts, making the whole cluster look like a single large flower 3 in. broad. Abundant in May and June. Fruit a small, bright red drupe with a single 2-seeded nut. Ripe in August. A large shrub or low tree 15 to 40 ft. high, with broad, roundish head. Common on high ground throughout, and one of the finest small trees in cultivation. A variety with the bracts quite red is also cultivated.

2. =Córnus álba=, L. (SIBERIAN RED-STEMMED CORNEL.) Leaves broadly ovate, acute, densely pubescent beneath; drupes white; branches recurved, bright red, rendering the plant a conspicuous object in the winter. A shrub rather than a tree, cultivated from Siberia; hardy throughout.

3. =Córnus máscula=, Dur. (CORNELIAN CHERRY.) Leaves opposite, oval-acuminate, rather pubescent on both surfaces. Flowers small, yellow, in umbels from a 4-leaved involucre, blooming before the leaves are out in spring. Fruit oval, ½ in. long, cornelian-colored, ripe in autumn, rather sweet, used in confectionery. A large shrub or low tree, 8 to 15 ft. high, with hard, tough, flexible wood, sometimes cultivated for its early flowers and late, beautiful fruit.

4. =Córnus alternifòlia=, L. f. (ALTERNATE-LEAVED CORNEL.) Leaves alternate, clustered at the ends of the branches, ovate or oval-acuminate, tapering at base, whitish with minute pubescence beneath. Cymes of flowers and fruit broad and open. Fruit deep blue on reddish stalks. Shrub, though occasionally tree-like, 8 to 25 ft. high; on hillsides throughout; rarely cultivated.

GENUS =46. NÝSSA.=

Trees with deciduous, alternate, exstipulate, usually entire leaves, mostly acute at both ends. Flowers somewhat dioecious, i.e. staminate and pistillate flowers on separate trees. The staminate flowers are quite conspicuous because so densely clustered. April and May. Fruit on but a portion of the trees, consisting of one or two small (¼ to ½ in.), drupes in the axils of the leaves. Stone roughened with grooves. Ripe in autumn.

* Fruit usually clustered 1, 2.

* Fruit solitary 3.

1. =Nýssa sylvática=, Marsh. (PEPPERIDGE. BLACK OR SOUR GUM.) Leaves oval to obovate, pointed, entire (sometimes angulate-toothed beyond the middle), rather thick, shining above when old, 2 to 5 in. long. The leaves are crowded near the ends of the branches and flattened so as to appear 2-ranked, like the Beech; turning bright crimson in the autumn. Fruit ovoid, bluish-black, about ½ in. long, sour. Medium-sized tree with mainly an excurrent trunk and horizontal branches. Wood firm, close-grained and hard to split. Rich soil, latitude of Albany and southward. Difficult to transplant, so it is rarely cultivated.

2. =Nýssa biflòra=, Walt. (SOUR GUM.) Leaves 1 to 3 in. long, smaller than in N. sylvatica; fertile flowers and fruit 1 to 3, in the axils; stone decidedly flattened and more strongly furrowed. New Jersey to Tennessee and southward. Too nearly like the last to need a drawing. All the species of Nyssa may have the margin of the leaves somewhat angulated, as shown in the next.

3. =Nýssa uniflòra=, Wang. (LARGE TUPELO.) Leaves much larger, 4 to 12 in. long, sometimes slightly cordate at base, entire or angularly toothed, downy beneath. Fruit solitary, oblong, blue, 1 in. or more in length. Wood soft, that of the roots light and spongy and used for corks. In water or wet swamps; Virginia, Kentucky, and southward.

ORDER =XXIII. CAPRIFOLIÀCEÆ.=

(HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY.)

Shrubs (rarely herb or tree-like plants) of temperate regions.

GENUS =47. VIBÚRNUM.=

Shrubs or small trees with opposite, simple, petioled leaves. Flowers light-colored, small but in large, conspicuous, flat-topped clusters at the ends of the branches; blooming in early summer. Fruit small, 1-seeded drupes with flattened stones; ripe in autumn.

* Leaves distinctly palmately lobed 1.

* Leaves pinnately veined and not lobed. (=A.=)

=A.= Coarsely dentated 2.

=A.= Finely serrated. (=B.=)

=B.= Leaves long-acuminated 3.

=B.= Obtuse or slightly pointed 4.

1. =Vibúrnum Ópulus=, L. (CRANBERRY-TREE.) Leaves palmately veined and strongly 3-lobed, broadly wedge-shaped or truncate at base, the spreading lobes mostly toothed on the sides and entire in the notches; petiole with 2 glands at the apex. Fruit in peduncled clusters, light red and quite sour (whence the name "Cranberry-tree"). A nearly smooth, small tree or shrub, 4 to 12 ft. high; wild along streams, and cultivated under the name of Snowball-tree or Guelder Rose. In this variety the flowers have all become sterile and enlarged. =Vibúrnum acerifòlium= (ARROW-WOOD) has also lobed leaves, and is much more common. This species never forms a tree, and has dark-colored berries.

2. =Vibúrnum dentàtum=, L. (ARROW-WOOD.) Leaves, pale green, broadly ovate, somewhat heart-shaped at base, coarsely and sharply dentated, strongly veined and often with hairy tufts in the axils; petioles rather long and slender. Fruit ¼ in. long, in peduncled clusters, blue or purple; a cross-section of the stone between kidney-and horseshoe-shaped. A shrub or small tree, 5 to 15 ft. high, with ash-colored bark; in wet places.

3. =Vibúrnum Lentàgo=, L. (SWEET VIBURNUM OR SHEEP-BERRY.) Leaves broad, ovate, long-pointed, 2 to 3 in. long, closely and sharply serrated; petioles long and with narrow, curled margins; entire plant smooth. Fruit in sessile clusters of 3 to 5 rays, oval, large, ½ in. long, blue-black, edible, sweet; ripe in autumn. A small tree, 10 to 30 ft. high; found wild throughout, in woods and along streams.

4. =Vibúrnum prunifòlium=, L. (BLACK HAW.) Leaves oval, obtuse or slightly pointed, 1 to 2 in. long, finely and sharply serrated. Blooming early, May to June. Fruit oval, large (½ in. long), in sessile clusters of 3 to 5 rays, black or blue-black, sweet. A tall shrub or small tree, 6 to 12 ft. high; in dry soil or along streams; New York, south and west.

GENUS =48. LONÍCERA.=

Leaves entire, opposite; corolla 5-lobed; berry several-seeded.

=Lonícera Tartárica=. (TARTARIAN HONEY-SUCKLE.) Leaves deciduous, oval, heart-shaped; flowers in pairs, showy, pink to rose-red; in spring; berries formed of the two ovaries, bright red; ripe in summer. A shrub, often planted and occasionally trimmed to a tree-like form, and growing to the height of nearly 20 ft.

ORDER =XXIV. COMPÓSITÆ.=

This, the largest order of flowering plants, is made up almost exclusively of herbaceous plants, but contains one shrub or low tree which is hardy from Boston southward near the Atlantic coast.

GENUS =49. BÁCCHARIS.=

Leaves simple, deciduous; heads of flowers small, many-flowered; receptacle naked; pappus of hairs.

=Báccharis halimifòlia=, L. (GROUNDSEL-TREE.) Leaves obovate, wedge-shaped, crenately notched at end, light grayish in color, with whitish powder; branches angled; flowers white with a tint of purple, blooming in the autumn. A broad, loose-headed, light-colored bush rather than a tree, 8 to 15 ft. high; wild on sea-beaches, Massachusetts and south, and occasionally cultivated. The plant is dioecious; the fertile specimens are rendered quite conspicuous in autumn by their very long, white pappus.

ORDER =XXV. ERICÀCEÆ.= (HEATH FAMILY.)

A large order, mainly of shrubs, though a few species are herbs, and fewer still are tall enough to be considered trees.

GENUS =50. OXYDÉNDRUM.=

Trees with deciduous, alternate, oblong-lanceolate, pointed, serrate, sour-tasting leaves. Flowers small, in large panicles at the ends of the branches. In summer. Fruit small, dry capsules, with 5 cells and many seeds.

=Oxydéndrum arbòreum=, DC. (SORREL-TREE. SOURWOOD.) Leaves in size and shape much like those of Peach trees. Flowers small, urn-shaped. Small-sized tree, 15 to 50 ft. high; wild in rich woods, Pennsylvania and southward, mainly in the mountains. Rare in cultivation, but very beautiful, especially in autumn, when its leaves are brilliantly colored, and the panicles of fruit still remain on the trees. It is perfectly hardy both at the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, and the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis.

GENUS =51. KÁLMIA.=

Evergreen shrubs with alternate, entire, thick, smooth leaves. Flowers large, beautiful, cup-shaped, in showy clusters. Fruit a small, 5-celled, many-seeded capsule.

=Kálmia latifòlia=, L. (MOUNTAIN-LAUREL. CALICO-BUSH.) The only species which grows at all tree-like has ovate-lanceolate or elliptical, smooth, petioled leaves, tapering at both ends and green on both sides. Flowers in terminal corymbs, clammy-pubescent, white to pink. June. Pod depressed, glandular. Shrub or small tree, 4 to 25 ft. high, with reddish twigs; wild in rocky hills and damp soils through out; occasionally planted. Wood very hard and close-grained.

GENUS =52. RHODODÉNDRON.=

Shrubs or low trees with usually alternate, entire leaves and showy flowers in umbel-like clusters from large, scaly-bracted, terminal buds. Fruit a dry 5-celled pod with many seeds.

=Rhododéndron máximum=, L. (GREAT LAUREL.) Leaves thick, 4 to 10 in. long, elliptical-oblong or lance-oblong, acute, narrowed toward the base, very smooth, with somewhat revolute margins. Flowers large (1 in.), with an irregular bell-shaped corolla and sticky stems, in large clusters, white or slightly pinkish with yellowish dots. July. Evergreen shrub or tree, 6 to 20 ft. high, throughout the region, especially in damp swamps in the Alleghany Mountains; occasionally cultivated.

GENUS =53. CLÈTHRA.=

Shrubs or trees with alternate, simple, deciduous, exstipulate, serrate leaves. Flowers (July and August) conspicuous, white, in elongated terminal racemes which are covered with a whitish powder. Fruit 3-celled pods with many seeds, covered by the calyx.

* Leaves thin, large, 3 to 7 in. long, pale beneath 1.

* Leaves thickish, smaller, green both sides 2.

1. =Clèthra acuminàta=, Michx. (ACUMINATE-LEAVED CLETHRA. SWEET PEPPER-BUSH.) Leaves 3 to 7 in. long, oval to oblong, pointed, thin, abruptly acute at base, finely serrate, on slender petioles, smooth above and glaucous below. Racemes drooping, of sweet-scented flowers, with the bracts longer than the flowers. Filaments and pod hairy. A small tree or shrub, 10 to 20 ft. high, in the Alleghanies, Virginia, and south. Not often in cultivation, but well worthy of it.

2. =Clèthra alnifòlia=, L. (COMMON SWEET PEPPER-BUSH.) Leaves wedge-obovate, sharply serrate near the apex, entire near the base, straight-veined, smooth, green on both sides. Racemes erect, often compound, with bracts shorter than the flowers and with smooth filaments. This is a shrub rather than a tree; abundant in wet places east of the Alleghanies. Occasionally cultivated for its sweet-scented flowers.

ORDER =XXVI. SAPOTÀCEÆ.=

(SAPODILLA FAMILY.)

A small order, mainly of tropical plants, here including one genus found only in the southern part of our range.

GENUS =54. BUMÈLIA.=

Leaves simple, alternate, entire, sub-evergreen, exstipulate; branches often spiny. Flowers small, whitish, usually crowded in fascicles. Fruit a black cherry-like drupe with a 2- to 3-celled nut. Shrubs and trees of the Southern States. Two species (although hardly trees) are found far enough north to be included in this work.

* Leaves rusty-woolly beneath 1.

* Leaves smooth or slightly silky beneath 2.

1. =Bumèlia lanuginòsa=, Pers. (WOOLLY-LEAVED BUCKTHORN.) Leaves oblong-obovate, obtuse, entire, smooth above and rusty-woolly beneath, but not silky; spiny, with downy branchlets. Clusters 6- to 12-flowered, pubescent; flowers greenish-yellow. Fruit globular and quite large (½ in.), black, edible. A small tree, 10 to 40 ft. high, of the woods of southern Illinois and southward. With slight protection it can be cultivated in Massachusetts.

2. =Bumèlia lycioìdes=, Pers. (SOUTHERN BUCKTHORN.) Leaves 2 to 4 in. long, oval-lanceolate, usually bluntish with a tapering base and entire margin, deciduous, a little silky beneath when young. Clusters densely many-flowered (20 to 30); flowers small (1/6 in.), smooth, greenish-white. May, June. A spiny shrub or tree, 10 to 25 ft. high, in moist ground, Virginia, west and south. About as hardy as the preceding species.

ORDER =XXVII. EBENÀCEÆ.= (EBONY FAMILY.)

A small order of mostly tropical trees and shrubs.

GENUS =55. DIOSPYROS.=

Trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, entire, feather-veined leaves. Flowers small, inconspicuous, mostly dioecious. Fruit a globose berry with the 5-lobed thick calyx at the base, and with 8 to 12, occasionally 1 to 5, rather large seeds; ripe after frost.

=Diospyros Virginiàna=, L. (COMMON PERSIMMON.) Leaves 4 to 6 in. long, ovate-oblong, acuminate, rather thick, smooth, dark, shining above, a little pale beneath. Bark dark-colored and deeply furrowed in a netted manner with rather small meshes. Flowers yellowish, rather small, somewhat dioecious; the staminate ones urn-shaped with mouth nearly closed; the pistillate ones more open. June. Fruit large, 1 in.; very astringent when young, yellow and pleasant-tasting after frost. A handsome, ornamental tree, 20 to 60 ft. high, with very hard, dark-colored wood and bright foliage. Southern New England to Illinois and south; also cultivated. =Diospyros Lòtus= (DATE-PLUM), with leaves very dark green above, much paler and downy beneath, and fruit much smaller (2/3 in.), and =Diospyros Kàki= (JAPAN PERSIMMON), with large, leathery, shining leaves and very large fruit (2 in.), are successfully cultivated from Washington, D. C., southward. The under leaf represents D. Lotus, the upper one a small specimen of D. Kaki.

ORDER =XXVIII. STYRACÀCEÆ.=

(STORAX FAMILY.)

A small order of shrubs and trees, mostly of warm countries.

GENUS =56. STYRAX.=

Shrubs or small trees with commonly deciduous leaves, and axillary, or racemed, white, showy flowers on drooping stems. Pubescence scurfy or stellate; fruit a globular dry drupe, its base covered with the persistent calyx, forming a 1- to 3-seeded nut.

1. =Styrax Americàna=, Lam. (AMERICAN STORAX.) Shrub or small tree (4 to 10 ft.), with oblong, alternate leaves acute at both ends, 1 to 3 inches long, smooth or very nearly so; fruit ½ in. long, in racemes of 3-4. Wild along streams, Virginia and south; occasionally cultivated, and probably hardy throughout.

2. =Styrax Japónica=, Sieb. (JAPAN STORAX.) Leaves alternate, membranaceous, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, serrate or crenate, ½ to 3 in. long, smooth or with short stellate hairs; flowers and fruit in long racemes. A beautiful low tree, 6 to 12 ft. high; from Japan. Hardy as far north as Philadelphia, but needing a little protection in Massachusetts and Missouri.

GENUS =57. PTEROSTYRAX.=

Similar to Styrax, but with the fruit in panicles, 5-winged, conical, and crowned with the persistent base of the style.

=Pterostyrax corymbòsum=, Sieb. Leaves deciduous, 2 to 5 in. long, feather-veined, petioled, ovate, rarely cordate at base, sharply serrate, with stellate hairs. Shrub or small tree, 10 to 12 ft. high, cultivated from Japan; with ashy-gray bark, and white flowers turning yellowish or purplish with age; blooming in May, fruit ripe in August. Not perfectly hardy in Massachusetts.

GENUS =58. HALÈSIA.=

Small trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, deciduous, serrate leaves. Flowers large, 1 in. long, conspicuous, white, hanging, bell-shaped, monopetalous, 4-lobed; blooming in spring. Fruit with a single, rough, elongated, bony nut surrounded by a 2- to 4-winged coat; ripe in autumn.

Wood light-colored, very hard and fine-grained.

1. =Halèsia díptera, L.= (TWO-WINGED SILVERBELL TREE.) Leaves large (4 to 5 in. long), ovate, acute, serrate, softly pubescent. Fruit with 2 conspicuous, broad wings, sometimes with 2 intermediate narrow ridges. A small tree or a large shrub, wild in the south, and cultivated as far north as New York City.

2. =Halèsia tetráptera, L.= (FOUR-WINGED SILVERBELL TREE.) Leaves smaller (2 to 4 in.), oblong-ovate, finely serrate. Fruit smaller, with 4 nearly equal wings. A small, beautiful tree, 10 to 30 ft. high, more hardy than Halesia diptera, and therefore cultivated occasionally throughout. Wild in Virginia and south.

GENUS =59. SÝMPLOCOS.=

Shrubs or small trees, with leaves furnishing a yellow dye.

=Sýmplocos tinctòria=, L'Her. (HORSE-SUGAR. SWEETLEAF.) Leaves simple, alternate, thick, 3 to 5 in. long, elongate-oblong, acuminate, nearly entire, almost persistent, pale beneath, with minute pubescence, sweet-tasting. Flowers 6 to 14, in close-bracted, axillary clusters, 5-parted, sweet-scented, yellow; in early spring. Fruit a dry drupe, ovoid, ½ in. long. A shrub or small tree, 10 to 20 ft. high. Delaware and south.

ORDER =XXIX. OLEÀCEÆ.= (OLIVE FAMILY.)

An order of trees and shrubs, mainly of temperate regions.

GENUS =60. FRÁXINUS.=

Trees with petioled, opposite, odd-pinnate leaves (one cultivated variety has simple leaves). Flowers often inconspicuous, in large panicles before the leaves in spring. Fruit single-winged at one end (samara or key-fruit), in large clusters; ripe in autumn. Some trees, owing to the flowers being staminate, produce no fruit. Wood light-colored, tough, very distinctly marked by the annual layers. The leaves appear late in the spring, and fall early in the autumn.

* Flowers with white corolla; a cultivated small tree 8.

* Flowers with no corolla. (=A.=)

=A.= Leaves pinnate; leaflets petiolate; calyx small,
persistent on the fruit. (=B.=)

=B.= Fruit broad-winged, ¾ in. wide. South 5.

=B.= Wings much narrower. (=C.= )

=C.= Branchlets round and pubescent 2.

=C.= Branchlets round and smooth. (=D.=)

=D.= Leaflets nearly entire 1.

=D.= Leaflets serrate near tip, entire below 3.

=C.= Branchlets, on vigorous growths, square 4.

=A.= Leaves pinnate; leaflets sessile; no calyx. (=E.=)

=E.= Native; wing of fruit rounded at tip 6.

=E.= Cultivated from Europe; wing notched at tip 7.

=A.= Leaves simple; variety under 7.