CORNACEAE

BasswoodBasswood1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/2.3. Cyme of flowers, with its bract, × 1/2.4. Flower, with two petals, petaloid scales and stamens removed, enlarged.5. Stamen, enlarged.6. Fruit, × 1/2.

Basswood

1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/2.3. Cyme of flowers, with its bract, × 1/2.4. Flower, with two petals, petaloid scales and stamens removed, enlarged.5. Stamen, enlarged.6. Fruit, × 1/2.

1. Winter twig, × 1.

2. Leaf, × 1/2.

3. Cyme of flowers, with its bract, × 1/2.

4. Flower, with two petals, petaloid scales and stamens removed, enlarged.

5. Stamen, enlarged.

6. Fruit, × 1/2.

HABIT.—A tree usually 60-70 feet high, with a tall, straight trunk 2-4 feet in diameter; numerous slender branches form a dense, ovoid or rounded crown.

LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 5-6 inches long, 3-4 inches broad; obliquely heart-shaped; coarsely serrate; thick and firm; glabrous, dull dark green above, paler beneath; petioles slender, 1-2 inches long.

FLOWERS.—June-July, after the leaves; perfect, regular; yellowish white, downy, fragrant; borne on slender pedicels in loose, drooping cymes, the peduncle attached for half its length to a narrow, oblong, yellowish bract; sepals 5, downy; petals 5, creamy white; stamens numerous, in 5 clusters; ovary 5-celled; stigma 5-lobed.

FRUIT.—October; globose, nut-like, woody, gray, tomentose, about the size of peas.

WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds ovoid, acute, often lopsided, smooth, dark red, 1/4 inch long.

BARK.—Twigs smooth, reddish gray, becoming dark gray or brown; dark gray and smooth on young stems, on old trunks thick, deeply furrowed into broad, scaly ridges.

WOOD.—Light, soft, close-grained, tough, light red-brown, with thick sapwood of nearly the same color.

DISTRIBUTION.—Common in most parts of the Lower Peninsula, frequent in the Upper Peninsula.

HABITAT.—Prefers rich, well-drained, loamy soils.

NOTES.—Rapid in growth. Easily transplanted. Recommended for street and ornamental planting.

Flowering Dogwood. Dogwood. BoxwoodFlowering Dogwood. Dogwood. Boxwood1. Winter twig, with leaf buds, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Winter twig, with flower bud, × 1.4. Leaf, × 1/2.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.

Flowering Dogwood. Dogwood. Boxwood

1. Winter twig, with leaf buds, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Winter twig, with flower bud, × 1.4. Leaf, × 1/2.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.

1. Winter twig, with leaf buds, × 1.

2. Portion of twig, enlarged.

3. Winter twig, with flower bud, × 1.

4. Leaf, × 1/2.

5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

6. Flower, enlarged.

7. Fruit, × 1.

HABIT.—A bushy tree with a height of 15-30 feet and a short trunk 8-12 inches in diameter; slender, spreading branches form a flat-topped crown.

LEAVES.—Opposite, closely clustered at the ends of the branchlets, simple, 3-5 inches long, 2-3 inches broad; ovate to elliptical; obscurely wavy-toothed; thick and firm; bright green, covered with minute, appressed hairs above, pale and more or less pubescent beneath, turning bright scarlet in autumn; petioles short, grooved.

FLOWERS.—May, with the leaves; perfect; greenish; in dense clusters, surrounded by 4 large, white or pinkish, petal-like bracts (often mistaken for the corolla), borne on short, stout peduncles; calyx 4-lobed, light green; petals 4, yellow-green; stamens 4, alternate with the petals; ovary 2-celled.

FRUIT.—October; an ovoid, scarlet drupe, borne in close clusters of 3-4; flesh is bitter.

WINTER-BUDS.—Leaf-buds narrow-conical, acute, greenish; flower-buds spherical or vertically flattened, grayish.

BARK.—Twigs pale green, becoming red or yellow-green their first winter, later becoming light brown or red-gray; red-brown or blackish on the trunk, often separating into quadrangular, plate-like scales.

WOOD.—Heavy, hard, strong, tough, close-grained, brownish, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.—Southern Michigan as far north as the Grand-Saginaw Valley.

HABITAT.—Prefers rich, well-drained soil, usually under the shade of other trees.

NOTES.—A valuable species for ornamental purposes. Rather slow of growth.

Blue Dogwood. Alternate-leaved DogwoodBlue Dogwood. Alternate-leaved Dogwood1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Flower, enlarged.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.

Blue Dogwood. Alternate-leaved Dogwood

1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Flower, enlarged.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.

1. Winter twig, × 1.

2. Portion of twig, enlarged.

3. Leaf, × 3/4.

4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

5. Flower, enlarged.

6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.

HABIT.—A small tree or large shrub reaching a height of 25-30 feet and a trunk diameter of 6-8 inches; more often smaller than this. The long, slender branches are arranged in irregular whorls, forming flat, horizontal tiers, giving the tree a storied effect.

LEAVES.—Mostly alternate and clustered at the ends of the branchlets; simple, 3-5 inches long, 2-1/2-3 inches broad; oval or ovate, long-pointed, wedge-shaped at the base; obscurely wavy-toothed; thin; dark green, nearly glabrous above, paler and covered with appressed hairs beneath, turning yellow and scarlet in autumn; petioles slender, grooved, hairy, with clasping bases.

FLOWERS.—May-June, after the leaves; perfect; borne on slender pedicels in many-flowered, irregular, open cymes from the season’s shoots; calyx cup-shaped, obscurely 4-toothed, covered with fine, silky, white hairs; petals 4, cream colored; stamens 4; ovary 2-celled.

FRUIT.—October; a globular, blue-black drupe, borne in loose, red-stemmed clusters; flesh bitter.

WINTER-BUDS.—Leaf-buds small, acute, light brown; flower-buds spherical or vertically flattened.

BARK.—Twigs greenish or reddish, becoming smooth, dark green; thin, dark red-brown and shallowly fissured on the trunk.

WOOD.—Heavy, hard, close-grained, red-brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.—Scattered throughout both peninsulas.

HABITAT.—Prefers moist, well-drained soil on the borders of streams and swamps, often in the shade of other trees.

NOTES.—Hardy throughout the state. Easily transplanted. The onlyCornuswith alternate leaves and branches.

Black Gum. PepperidgeBlack Gum. Pepperidge1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 1/2.

Black Gum. Pepperidge

1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 1/2.

1. Winter twig, × 1.

2. Portion of twig, enlarged.

3. Leaf, × 3/4.

4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

5. Staminate flower, enlarged.

6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.

8. Fruit, × 1/2.

HABIT.—A medium-sized tree 40-50 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet, forming a rounded to cylindrical crown of slender, spreading, pendulous branches and a stiff, flat spray.

LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 2-5 inches long, one-half as broad; oblong-obovate to oval; entire, or sometimes wavy-margined; thick and firm; very lustrous and dark green above, pale and often hairy beneath, turning bright scarlet, on the upper surface only, in autumn; petioles short.

FLOWERS.—May-June, with the leaves; polygamo-dioecious; greenish; borne on slender, downy peduncles; the staminate slender-pedicelled, in many-flowered heads; the pistillate sessile, in several-flowered clusters; calyx cup-shaped, 5-toothed; petals 5; stamens 5-10; stigma stout, terete, recurved.

FRUIT.—October; fleshy drupes, ovoid, blue-black, about 1/2 inch long, sour, in clusters of 1-3.

WINTER-BUDS.—1/8-1/4 inch long, ovoid, obtuse, dark red.

BARK.—Twigs greenish or light brown, smooth or often downy, becoming smooth, dark red-brown; thick, red-brown on old trunks, deeply furrowed.

WOOD.—Heavy, soft, strong, very tough, difficult to split, not durable in contact with the soil, pale yellow, with thick, whitish sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.—Frequent in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula. Has been reported as far north as Manistee.

HABITAT.—Prefers the borders of swamps and low, wet lands. Rarely flourishes in exposed situations.

NOTES.—Of great ornamental value. Not easily transplanted. Pith of twigs with thin, transverse partitions.

White AshWhite Ash1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/4.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.

White Ash

1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/4.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.

1. Winter twig, × 1.

2. Leaf, × 1/4.

3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

4. Staminate flower, enlarged.

5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.

7. Fruit, × 1.

HABIT.—A large tree 50-75 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2-3 feet; forming an open, pyramidal crown of long, slender, lateral branches and a stout, rather sparse spray.

LEAVES.—Opposite, pinnately compound, 8-12 inches long. Leaflets usually 7-9, 3-5 inches long, 1-2 inches broad; short-stalked; ovate to oblong-lanceolate; entire or obscurely serrate; thick and firm; glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath. Petioles glabrous, stout, grooved.

FLOWERS.—May, before the leaves; dioecious; borne in loose panicles on shoots of the previous season; calyx campanulate, 4-lobed; corolla 0; stamens 2, rarely 3; ovary 2-celled.

FRUIT.—August-September, persistent on the branches until mid-winter or the following spring; samaras 1-2 inches long, in crowded, drooping, paniculate clusters 6-8 inches long.

WINTER-BUDS.—Short, rather obtuse; bud-scales apiculate, keeled, 4 pairs, rusty-brown.

BARK.—Twigs at first dark green, becoming gray or light brown, often covered with a glaucous bloom; gray, deeply furrowed into firm, narrow, flattened ridges on the trunk.

WOOD.—Heavy, hard, strong, close-grained, tough, brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.—Of common occurrence throughout the state.

HABITAT.—Prefers a rich, moist, loamy soil, but grows in any well-drained situation; common along stream-beds.

NOTES.—Grows rapidly. Easily transplanted. Fairly free from disease. Leaves appear late in spring.

Red AshRed Ash1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/3.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.

Red Ash

1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/3.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.

1. Winter twig, × 1.

2. Leaf, × 1/3.

3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

4. Staminate flower, enlarged.

5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.

7. Fruit, × 1.

HABIT.—A medium-sized tree 30-50 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet; stout, upright branches and slender branchlets form a compact, broad, irregular crown.

LEAVES.—Opposite, pinnately compound, 10-12 inches long. Leaflets 7-9, 3-5 inches long, 1-1-1/2 inches broad; short-stalked; oblong-lanceolate to ovate; slightly serrate or entire; thin and firm; glabrous, yellow-green above, pale and silky-downy beneath. Petioles stout, pubescent.

FLOWERS.—May, with the leaves; dioecious; borne in compact, downy panicles on shoots of the previous season; calyx cup-shaped, 4-toothed; corolla 0; stamens 2, rarely 3; ovary 2-celled.

FRUIT.—Early autumn, persistent on the branches throughout the winter; samaras 1-2 inches long, in open, paniculate clusters.

WINTER-BUDS.—Small, rounded; bud-scales rounded on the back, 3 pairs, rusty-brown, tomentose.

BARK.—Twigs pale-pubescent at first, lasting 2-3 years or often disappearing during the first summer, finally ashy gray or brownish and often covered with a glaucous bloom; brown or dark gray on the trunk, with many longitudinal, shallow furrows; somewhat scaly.

WOOD.—Heavy, hard, strong, brittle, coarse-grained, light brown, with thick, yellow-streaked sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.—Not a common tree. Most frequent in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula, but has been reported further north, i.e., Drummond’s Island and Keweenaw County, Upper Peninsula.

HABITAT.—Prefers wet or moist, rich loam; river-banks; swampy lowlands.

NOTES.—A rapid grower in youth. Fairly immune from insect and fungous diseases.

Green AshGreen Ash1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/3.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.

Green Ash

1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/3.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.

1. Winter twig, × 1.

2. Leaf, × 1/3.

3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

4. Staminate flower, enlarged.

5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

6. Pistillate flower, enlarged.

7. Fruit, × 1.

Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, and by others a variety ofF. pennsylvanica Marsh., which it resembles. The main points of difference are:

The usual absence of pubescence from the branchlets, the underside of the leaflets, and the petioles.

The rather narrower, shorter, and more sharply serrate leaflets.

The color of the leaves, which is bright green on both sides.

A very hardy tree, of rapid growth and desirable habit, making it useful for ornamental and street planting. Easily transplanted.

Of rare occurrence in Michigan, but has been reported from several localities.

Blue AshBlue Ash1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/2.3. Flowering branchlet, × 1.4. Flower, enlarged.5. Fruit, × 1/2.

Blue Ash

1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/2.3. Flowering branchlet, × 1.4. Flower, enlarged.5. Fruit, × 1/2.

1. Winter twig, × 1.

2. Leaf, × 1/2.

3. Flowering branchlet, × 1.

4. Flower, enlarged.

5. Fruit, × 1/2.

HABIT.—A large tree 50-80 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-3 feet; small, spreading branches and stout, 4-angled, more or less 4-winged branchlets form a narrow crown.

LEAVES.—Opposite, pinnately compound, 8-12 inches long. Leaflets 5-9, usually 7, 3-5 inches long, 1-2 inches broad; short-stalked; ovate-oblong to lanceolate, long-pointed; coarsely serrate; thick and firm; yellow-green above, paler beneath, glabrous. Petioles slender, glabrous.

FLOWERS.—April, before the leaves; perfect; borne in loose panicles on shoots of the previous season; calyx reduced to a ring; corolla 0; stamens 2; ovary 2-celled.

FRUIT.—September-October, falling soon after; samaras 1-2 inches long, in long, loose, paniculate clusters.

WINTER-BUDS.—Short, rather obtuse; bud-scales rounded on the back, 3 pairs, dark red-brown, somewhat pubescent.

BARK.—Twigs orange, rusty-pubescent, becoming brownish or grayish; on the trunk light gray tinged with red, irregularly divided into large, plate-like scales, often with the shaggy appearance of a Shagbark Hickory.

WOOD.—Heavy, hard, close-grained, brittle, light yellow streaked with brown, with thick, light yellow sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.—Occasionally in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula. Nowhere abundant.

HABITAT.—Prefers rich, limestone hills, but grows well in fertile bottom-lands.

NOTES.—Hardy and grows rapidly. A blue dye is made by macerating the inner bark in water.

Black AshBlack Ash1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/3.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flowers, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.

Black Ash

1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/3.3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Staminate flower, enlarged.5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Pistillate flowers, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.

1. Winter twig, × 1.

2. Leaf, × 1/3.

3. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

4. Staminate flower, enlarged.

5. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.

6. Pistillate flowers, enlarged.

7. Fruit, × 1.

HABIT.—A tall tree 60-80 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 1-2 feet; slender, upright branches form in the forest a narrow crown, in the open a rounded, ovoid crown.

LEAVES.—Opposite, pinnately compound, 12-16 inches long. Leaflets 7-11, 3-5 inches long, 1-2 inches broad; sessile, except the terminal; oblong to oblong-lanceolate, long-pointed; remotely, but sharply serrate; thin and firm; dark green above, paler beneath, glabrous. Petioles stout, grooved, glabrous.

FLOWERS.—May, before the leaves; polygamo-dioecious; borne in loose panicles on shoots of the preceeding season; calyx 0; corolla 0; stamens 2; ovary 2-celled.

FRUIT.—August-September, falling early, or sometimes hanging on the tree until the following spring; samaras 1-1-1/2 inches long, in open, paniculate clusters 8-10 inches long.

WINTER-BUDS.—Ovoid, pointed; bud-scales rounded on the back, 3 pairs, almost black.

BARK.—Twigs at first dark green, becoming ashy gray or orange, finally dark gray and warted; thin, soft ash-gray and scaly on the trunk. Bark flakes off on rubbing with the hand.

WOOD.—Heavy, tough, coarse-grained, weak, rather soft, dark brown, with thin, lighter colored sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.—Common throughout most portions of Michigan.

HABITAT.—Prefers deep, cold swamps and low river-banks, but grows in any good soil.

NOTES.—Hardy throughout the state. Not easily transplanted. Foliage falls early in autumn.

Hardy CatalpaHardy Catalpa1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/4.3. Panicle of flowers, × 3/8.4. Fruit, × 1/2.5. Seed, × 1.

Hardy Catalpa

1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/4.3. Panicle of flowers, × 3/8.4. Fruit, × 1/2.5. Seed, × 1.

1. Winter twig, × 1.

2. Leaf, × 1/4.

3. Panicle of flowers, × 3/8.

4. Fruit, × 1/2.

5. Seed, × 1.

HABIT.—A tree 50-75 feet high, with a short, often crooked trunk and a broad, rounded crown of slender, spreading branches and thick branchlets.

LEAVES.—Opposite or whorled, simple, 8-12 inches long, 6-8 inches broad; heart-shaped; entire or sometimes slightly lobed; thick and firm; glabrous, dark green above, downy beneath, with clusters of dark, nectariferous glands in the axils of the primary veins, turning black and falling with the first severe frost; petioles long, stout, terete.

FLOWERS.—June-July, after the leaves are full grown; perfect; borne on slender, purplish pedicels in open, few-flowered panicles 5-6 inches long; calyx 2-lobed, purple; corolla white with inconspicuous yellow spots, campanulate, 5-lobed, 2-1/2 inches broad; stamens 2, staminodia 3; ovary 2-celled.

FRUIT.—Ripens in early autumn; slender, 2-celled, cylindrical capsule 10-20 inches long and about 1/2 inch thick; hangs on tree all winter, opening in spring before falling; seeds light brown, 1 inch long, with rounded, wide-fringed wings at each end.

WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds brownish, globose, inconspicuous.

BARK.—Twigs greenish, often with purple tinge, becoming orange or red-brown and covered with a slight bloom the first winter, finally darker with age; thick, red-brown, broken into thick scales on the trunk,

WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, coarse-grained, light brown, with very thin, almost white sapwood; very durable in contact with the soil.

NOTES.—A native of Illinois, Indiana, and the states adjoining on the south, but much planted in Michigan as a shade and ornamental tree. Closely resemblesC. bignonioides, but is a larger and hardier tree.

CatalpaCatalpa1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 3/8.3. Panicle of flowers, × 1/3.4. Fruit, × 1/2.5. Seed, × 1.

Catalpa

1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 3/8.3. Panicle of flowers, × 1/3.4. Fruit, × 1/2.5. Seed, × 1.

1. Winter twig, × 1.

2. Leaf, × 3/8.

3. Panicle of flowers, × 1/3.

4. Fruit, × 1/2.

5. Seed, × 1.

HABIT.—A tree 40-30 feet high, with a short, thick trunk and a broad, irregular crown of long, crooked branches and coarse, upright branchlets.

LEAVES.—Opposite or whorled, simple, 5-8 inches long, 4-5 inches broad; heart-shaped; entire or sometimes slightly lobed; thin and firm; glabrous, light green above, downy beneath, with dark, nectariferous glands in the axils of the primary veins, turning black and falling with the first severe frost; petioles long, stout, terete.

FLOWERS.—June-July, after the leaves are full grown; perfect; borne on slender, hairy pedicels in compact, many-flowered panicles 8-10 inches long; calyx 2-lobed, green or purple; corolla white with yellow spots, campanulate, 5-lobed, 1-1/2 inches broad; stamens 2, staminodia 3; ovary 2-celled.

FRUIT.—Ripens in early autumn; slender, 2-celled, cylindrical capsule 8-20 inches long and about 1/4 inch thick; hangs on tree all winter, opening in spring before falling; seeds silvery gray, 1 inch long, with pointed, fringed wings at each end.

WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds, brownish, globose, inconspicuous.

BARK.—Twigs greenish purple, becoming red-brown and marked by a network of thin, flat ridges; thin, red-brown on the trunk, separating into large, thin, irregular scales.

WOOD.—Light, soft, weak, coarse-grained, light brown, with very thin, whitish sapwood; very durable in contact with the soil.

NOTES.—A native of the Lower Mississippi River Basin, but naturalized in southern Michigan, where it is a popular shade and ornamental tree. Foliage appears very tardily in spring.

Sheepberry. NannyberrySheepberry. Nannyberry1. Winter twig, with leaf buds, × 1.2. Winter twig, with flower bud, × 1.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Flower, enlarged.5. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.

Sheepberry. Nannyberry

1. Winter twig, with leaf buds, × 1.2. Winter twig, with flower bud, × 1.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Flower, enlarged.5. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.

1. Winter twig, with leaf buds, × 1.

2. Winter twig, with flower bud, × 1.

3. Leaf, × 3/4.

4. Flower, enlarged.

5. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.

HABIT.—A low tree or shrub 15-25 feet high, with a short trunk 6-10 inches in diameter; numerous tortuous branches form a wide, compact, rounded crown.

LEAVES.—Opposite, simple, 2-4 inches long, one-half as broad; ovate to suborbicular; finely and sharply serrate; thick and firm; lustrous, bright green above, pale and marked with tiny black dots beneath; petioles broad, grooved, more or less winged, about 1 inch long.

FLOWERS.—May-June, after the leaves; perfect; small; cream-white, borne in stout-branched, scurfy, flat, terminal cymes 3-5 inches across; calyx tubular, 5-toothed; corolla 5-lobed, cream color or white, 1/4 inch across; stamens 5, with yellow anthers; ovary 1-celled, with short, thick, green style and broad stigma.

FRUIT.—September; a fleshy drupe, 1/2 inch long, ovoid, flattened, blue-black, borne in few-fruited, red-stemmed clusters; stone oval, flat, rough; flesh sweet, edible.

WINTER-BUDS.—Leaf-buds narrow, acute, red, scurfy-pubescent, 1/2 inch long; flower-buds swollen at the base, with spire-like apex, grayish with scurfy pubescence, 3/4 inch long.

BARK.—Twigs at first light green, rusty-pubescent, becoming dark red-brown; red-brown on old trunks and broken into small, thick plates.

WOOD.—Heavy, hard, close-grained, ill-smelling, dark orange-brown, with thin, whitish sapwood.

DISTRIBUTION.—Frequent throughout the state.

HABITAT.—Prefers rich, moist soil along the borders of forests; roadsides; river-banks.

NOTES.—Too small for street use. Propagated from seed or by cuttings.

ASee pagexviii.

BSee pagexviii.

CAlthough formerly classed under PINACEAE, recent investigations show it to be the type of a distinct family.

DIt is not intended that this key shall serve as a means of identification of any species ofSalixfound in Michigan, but it has added simply to give a ready comparison of the four species which are described.

EIt is difficult to distinguish between these species in the absence of summer characters. If leaves can be found on or beneath a tree which is sufficiently segregated from similar trees as to avoid any chance for error, the summer key on the opposite page may be used.

FA discussion has recently arisen as to whetherBetula lentaactually exists in the state, some botanists preferring the nameB. alleghanensis Britt.for the tree we have so long called Black Birch. Pending further investigation the authors have thought best to retain the old name.Ref.—Britton: North American Trees, pp. 257-8.

Ref.—Britton: North American Trees, pp. 257-8.

G[1] means that the acorns mature in the autumn of the first season, hence mature acorns will not be found on the tree, but on the ground beneath the tree.[2] means that the acorns mature in the autumn of the second season, hence immature acorns will be found on the last season’s twigs, and mature acorns on the ground beneath the tree.

G[1] means that the acorns mature in the autumn of the first season, hence mature acorns will not be found on the tree, but on the ground beneath the tree.

[2] means that the acorns mature in the autumn of the second season, hence immature acorns will be found on the last season’s twigs, and mature acorns on the ground beneath the tree.

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