SassafrasSassafras1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaves, × 1/2.4. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Staminate flower, enlarged.6. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 1/2.
Sassafras
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaves, × 1/2.4. 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. Leaves, × 1/2.4. 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. Leaves, × 1/2.4. 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. Leaves, × 1/2.
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.—Usually a large shrub, but often a small tree 20-40 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 10-20 inches; stout, often contorted branches and a bushy spray form a flat, rather open crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-6 inches long, 2-4 inches broad; oval to oblong or obovate; entire or 1-3-lobed with deep, broad sinuses and finger-like lobes; thin; dull dark green above, paler beneath; petioles slender, about 1 inch long.
FLOWERS.—May, with the leaves; dioecious; greenish yellow; on slender pedicels, in loose, drooping, few-flowered racemes 2 inches long; calyx deeply 6-lobed, yellow-green; corolla 0; stamens of staminate flower 9, in 3 rows, of pistillate flower 6, in 1 row; ovary 1-celled.
FRUIT.—September-October; an oblong-globose, lustrous, dark blue berry, 3/8 inch long, surrounded at the base by the scarlet calyx, borne on club-shaped, bright red pedicels.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal buds 1/3 inch long, ovoid, acute, greenish, soft-pubescent, flower-bearing; lateral buds much smaller, sterile or leaf-bearing. Aromatic.
BARK.—Twigs glabrous, lustrous, yellow-green, spicy-aromatic, becoming red-brown and shallowly fissured when 2-3 years old; thick, dark red-brown and deeply and irregularly fissured into firm, flat ridges on old trunks.
WOOD.—Soft, weak, brittle, coarse-grained, very durable in the soil, aromatic, dull orange-brown, with thin, light yellow sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Southern portion of Lower Peninsula as far north as Grayling.
HABITAT.—Prefers well-drained, stony or sandy soil; woods; abandoned fields; peaty swamps.
NOTES.—Rapid of growth. Suckers freely. Difficult to transplant. Propagated easily from seed.
Sycamore. Button-wood. Buttonball-treeSycamore. Button-wood. Buttonball-tree1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, side view, × 1.3. Vertical section of twig, summer bud and leaf petiole, enlarged.4. Leaf, × 3/8.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Staminate flower, enlarged.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 3/8.9. Achene, enlarged.
Sycamore. Button-wood. Buttonball-tree
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, side view, × 1.3. Vertical section of twig, summer bud and leaf petiole, enlarged.4. Leaf, × 3/8.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Staminate flower, enlarged.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 3/8.9. Achene, enlarged.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, side view, × 1.3. Vertical section of twig, summer bud and leaf petiole, enlarged.4. Leaf, × 3/8.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Staminate flower, enlarged.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 3/8.9. Achene, enlarged.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, side view, × 1.3. Vertical section of twig, summer bud and leaf petiole, enlarged.4. Leaf, × 3/8.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Staminate flower, enlarged.7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.8. Fruit, × 3/8.9. Achene, enlarged.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, side view, × 1.
3. Vertical section of twig, summer bud and leaf petiole, enlarged.
4. Leaf, × 3/8.
5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
6. Staminate flower, enlarged.
7. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
8. Fruit, × 3/8.
9. Achene, enlarged.
HABIT.—A large tree 70-100 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 3-8 feet; commonly dividing near the ground into several large secondary trunks, forming a broad, open, irregular crown of massive, spreading branches.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 5-10 inches long and broad; broadly ovate in outline; more or less 3-5-lobed by broad, shallow sinuses, the lobes sinuate-toothed; thin and firm; bright green above, paler beneath, glabrous both sides; petioles stout, puberulous, 1-2 inches long.
FLOWERS.—May, with the leaves; monoecious; borne in dense heads; the staminate dark red, on short, axillary peduncles; the pistillate greenish, on long, slender, terminal peduncles; sepals 3-6, minute; petals 3-6, minute; stamens 3-6, usually 4; styles long, incurved, red.
FRUIT.—October, persistent on the limbs through the winter; brown heads about 1 inch in diameter, on slender, glabrous stems 3-6 inches long.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds 1/4-3/8 inch long, conical, blunt, lustrous, pale brown; forming in summer within the petiole of the leaf.
BARK.—Twigs pale green and tomentose, becoming smooth, dark green, finally grayish; thick, red-brown on the trunk and broken into oblong, plate-like scales, separating higher up into thin plates which peel off, exposing the greenish or yellowish inner bark.
WOOD.—Heavy, tough, hard, rather weak, coarse-grained, difficult to split, light red-brown, with thick, darker colored sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Lower Peninsula as far north as Roscommon County.
HABITAT.—Prefers rich bottom-lands along the borders of rivers and lakes.
NOTES.—Rapid of growth. Bears transplanting well. Often planted as a shade tree. Fungous diseases disfigure it seriously.
Sweet Crab. American CrabSweet Crab. American Crab1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower with petals removed, × 1/2.6. Fruit, × 1/2.
Sweet Crab. American Crab
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower with petals removed, × 1/2.6. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower with petals removed, × 1/2.6. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower with petals removed, × 1/2.6. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 3/4.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Vertical section of flower with petals removed, × 1/2.
6. Fruit, × 1/2.
HABIT.—Often a bushy shrub, but frequently a small tree 15-25 feet high, with a trunk 8-12 inches in diameter; forming a broad, rounded crown of rigid, contorted branches bearing many short, spur-like branchlets.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-4 inches long, almost as broad; ovate to nearly triangular; sharply and deeply serrate, sometimes lobed; membranaceous; bright green above, paler beneath, glabrous both sides; petioles long, slender, often with two dark glands near the middle.
FLOWERS.—May, after the leaves; perfect; 1-1/2-2 inches across; very fragrant; borne on slender pedicels in 5-6-flowered umbels; calyx urn-shaped, 5-lobed, tomentose; petals 5, rose colored to white; stamens 10-20; ovary hairy; styles 5.
FRUIT.—October; a depressed-globose pome, 1-1-1/2 inches in diameter, pale green, very fragrant, with a waxy surface.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud 1/8-1/4 inch long, obtuse, bright red; lateral buds smaller.
BARK.—Twigs at first hoary-tomentose, becoming glabrous, red-brown; thin, red-brown, breaking into longitudinal fissures on the trunk.
WOOD.—Heavy, rather soft, close-grained, weak, red-brown, with thick, yellow sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Southern portion of the Lower Peninsula as far north as Roscommon County.
HABITAT.—Rich, moist, but well-drained soil in thickets and along streams.
NOTES.—An excellent ornamental tree or shrub for small gardens and shrubberies. The fruit is sometimes gathered for making preserves.
Mountain AshMountain Ash1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/3.4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.5. Portion of a fruiting cyme, × 1.
Mountain Ash
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/3.4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.5. Portion of a fruiting cyme, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/3.4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.5. Portion of a fruiting cyme, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/3.4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.5. Portion of a fruiting cyme, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1/3.
4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.
5. Portion of a fruiting cyme, × 1.
HABIT.—A small tree 15-20 feet high, with a trunk diameter of not over a foot; branches slender, spreading, forming a narrow, rounded crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, compound, 6-9 inches long. Leaflets 9-17, 2-3 inches long and 1/2-3/4 inch broad; sessile or nearly so, except the terminal; lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, taper-pointed; finely and sharply serrate above the entire base; membranaceous; glabrous, dark yellow-green above, paler beneath, turning clear yellow in autumn. Petioles slender, grooved, enlarged at the base.
FLOWERS.—May-June, after the leaves; perfect; 1/8 inch across; borne on short, stout pedicels in many-flowered, flat cymes 3-5 inches across; calyx urn-shaped, 5-lobed, puberulous; petals 5, white; stamens numerous; styles 2-3.
FRUIT.—October, but persistent on the tree throughout the winter; a berry-like pome, subglobose, 1/4 inch in diameter, bright red, with thin, acid flesh; eaten by birds in the absence of other food.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud about 1/2 inch long, ovoid, acute, with curved apex; lateral buds smaller, appressed; scales rounded on the back, purplish red, more or less pilose above, gummy.
BARK.—Twigs at first red-brown and hairy, becoming glabrous, dark brown; thin, light gray-brown on the trunk, smooth, or slightly roughened on old trees; inner bark fragrant.
WOOD.—Light, soft, close-grained, weak, pale brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Ludington and northward, principally along the shore of L. Michigan, but common throughout the Upper Peninsula.
HABITAT.—Prefers rich, moist soil on river-banks and on the borders of cold swamps; rocky hillsides and mountains.
NOTES.—More often a shrub. Easily transplanted, but slow of growth. One of the most beautiful trees of our northern forests.
ServiceberryServiceberry1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
Serviceberry
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.
6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A small tree 25-40 feet in height, with a tall trunk 6-12 inches in diameter; forming a narrow, rounded crown of many small limbs and slender branchlets.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-4 inches long and about one-half as broad; ovate to obovate; finely and sharply serrate; glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath; petioles slender, about 1 inch long.
FLOWERS.—April, when the leaves are about one-third grown; perfect; large, white, borne in drooping racemes 3-5 inches long; calyx 5-cleft, campanulate, villous on the inner surface; petals 5, strap-shaped, white, about 1 inch in length; stamens numerous; styles 5, united below.
FRUIT.—June-August; globular, berry-like pome, 1/3-1/2 inch long; turning from bright red to dark purple with slight bloom; sweet and edible when ripe.
WINTER-BUDS.—Yellow-brown, narrow-ovoid to conical, sharp-pointed, 1/4-1/2 inch long; bud-scales apiculate, slightly pubescent.
BARK.—Twigs smooth, light green, becoming red-brown; thin, pale red-brown on the trunk, smoothish or divided by shallow fissures into narrow, longitudinal, scaly ridges.
WOOD.—Heavy, very hard, strong, close-grained, dark red-brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Common throughout the state.
HABITAT.—Prefers rich soil of dry, upland woods and hillsides.
NOTES.—Hardy throughout the state. Grows in all soils and situations except in wet lands.
Dotted HawCrataegus punctata Jacq.Dotted Haw1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1.3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.5. Fruit, × 1.
Dotted HawCrataegus punctata Jacq.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1.3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.5. Fruit, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1.3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.5. Fruit, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1.3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.5. Fruit, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Leaf, × 1.
3. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
4. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.
5. Fruit, × 1.
Owing to the complexity of the various forms in this group, the present state of uncertainty as to the value of certain characters, and the questionable validity of many of the assigned names, it is thought to be beyond the scope of this bulletin to give more than a general description of the group as a whole, recommending the more ambitious student to the various manuals and botanical journals and papers for more detailed information.
TheCrataegiare generally low, wide-spreading trees or shrubs, with strong, tortuous branches and more or less zigzag branchlets usually armed with stiff, sharp thorns. The bark varies from dark red to gray and is shallowly fissured or scaly. The leaves are alternate, simple, generally serrate, often lobed, with short or long petioles. The flowers appear in May or June, with or after the leaves, in simple or compound corymbs, whitish or pinkish, perfect. The fruit is a red to yellow, sometimes blue or black pome, subglobose to pear-shaped, with usually dry and mealy flesh and 1-5 seeds. The winter-buds are small, nearly globose, lustrous brown.Crataegusproduces wood which is heavy, hard, tough, close-grained, red-brown, with thick, pale sapwood. The Haws are trees of the pasture-lands, the roadside, the open woods and the stream-banks, and are more common in the southern than in the northern portions of the state. Some of the species are desirable as ornaments in parks and gardens on account of their beautiful and abundant flowers and showy fruits.
Black CherryBlack Cherry1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
Black Cherry
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 3/4.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 3/4.
4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.
5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.
7. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A medium-sized tree 40-50 feet high and 8-36 inches in trunk diameter; branches few, large, tortuous, forming a rather spreading, oblong or rounded crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 2-5 inches long, about one-half as broad; oval or oblong to oblong-lanceolate; finely serrate, with teeth incurved; subcoriaceous; dark green and very lustrous above, paler beneath, glabrous both sides; petioles short, slender, usually bearing 2 red glands near the blade.
FLOWERS.—May-June, when the leaves are half grown; perfect; 1/4 inch across; borne on slender pedicels in many-flowered, loose racemes 4-5 inches long; calyx cup-shaped, 5-lobed; petals 5, white; stamens 15-20; stigma thick, club-shaped.
FRUIT.—August-September; a globular drupe, 1/3-1/2 inch in diameter, nearly black, with dark purple, juicy flesh; slightly bitter, edible.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud about 1/4 inch long, ovoid, blunt to acute; scales keeled on the back, apiculate, light brown.
BARK.—Twigs and branches red to red-brown; young trunks dark red-brown, smooth; blackish on old trunks and rough, broken into thick, irregular plates; bitter, aromatic.
WOOD.—Light, rather hard, strong, close- and straight-grained, light brown or red, with thin, yellow sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Frequent in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula, rare in the northern half and the Upper Peninsula.
HABITAT.—Prefers a rich, moist soil, but grows well on dry, gravelly or sandy soils.
NOTES.—Grows very rapidly in youth.
Choke CherryChoke Cherry1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
Choke Cherry
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.
5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.
7. Fruit, × 1/2.
HABIT.—Usually a large shrub, but sometimes a small tree 15-25 feet high, with a crooked, often leaning trunk 5-6 inches in diameter; forming a spreading, somewhat rounded crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 2-4 inches long, one-half as broad; obovate to oblong-obovate or oval, abruptly acuminate at the apex; finely and sharply serrate; dull dark green above, paler beneath, glabrous both sides; petioles short, slender, glandular at the apex.
FLOWERS.—May, when the leaves are half grown; perfect; about 1/2 inch across; borne on short, slender pedicels in many-flowered racemes 3-6 inches long; calyx cup-shaped, 5-lobed; petals 5, white; stamens 15-20; stigma broad, on a short style.
FRUIT.—July-August; a globular drupe, 1/4-1/2 inch in diameter, usually bright red, often yellow to almost black, with dark red flesh; astringent, but edible.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud 1/4-1/2 inch long, conical, acute; scales rounded at the apex, light brown, smooth.
BARK.—Twigs at first light brown or greenish, becoming red-brown, finally dark brown; thin, dark brown on the trunk, slightly fissured.
WOOD.—Heavy, hard, close-grained, weak, light brown, with thick, lighter colored sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Common throughout the entire state.
HABITAT.—Prefers a deep, rich, moist loam, but is common on less favorable sites.
NOTES.—The most widely distributed tree of North America, extending from the arctic circle to Mexico, from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean.
Wild Red Cherry. Pin CherryWild Red Cherry. Pin Cherry1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.
Wild Red Cherry. Pin Cherry
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1.4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1.
4. Margin of leaf, enlarged.
5. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
6. Flower, enlarged.
7. Fruit, × 1.
HABIT.—A slender tree, seldom over 30 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 8-10 inches; crown rather open, narrow, rounded, with slender, regular branches.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-5 inches long, 3/4-1-1/4 inches broad; oblong-lanceolate; finely and sharply serrate; bright green and shining above, paler beneath; petioles slender, 1/2-1 inch long, glandular near the blade.
FLOWERS.—May-June, with the leaves; perfect; about 1/2 inch across, borne on slender pedicels in 4-5-flowered umbels, generally clustered, 2-3 together; calyx 5-cleft, campanulate; petals 5, white, 1/4 inch long; stamens 15-20.
FRUIT.—July-August; a globular drupe, 1/4 inch in diameter, light red, with thick skin and sour flesh.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud 1/8 inch long, broadly ovoid, rather blunt, brownish, smooth.
BARK.—Twigs at first lustrous, red, marked by orange colored lenticels, becoming brownish; red-brown and thin on the trunk, peeling off horizontally into broad, papery plates; bitter, aromatic.
WOOD.—Light, soft, close-grained, light brown, with thin, yellow sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Throughout the northern portion of the state, extending southward to Ionia County.
HABITAT.—Abundant on sand-lands; roadsides; burned-over lands; clearings; hillsides.
NOTES.—Rapid of growth. Short-lived.
Canada Plum. Red PlumCanada Plum. Red Plum1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/2.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower, × 1.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
Canada Plum. Red Plum
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/2.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower, × 1.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/2.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower, × 1.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/2.4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.5. Vertical section of flower, × 1.6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1/2.
4. Flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
5. Vertical section of flower, × 1.
6. Fruiting branchlet, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A small tree 20-25 feet high and 5-8 inches in trunk diameter; usually divides 5-6 feet from the ground into a number of stout, upright branches, forming a narrow, rigid crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-5 inches long and one-half as broad; oblong-ovate to obovate, abruptly acuminate at the apex; doubly crenate-serrate; thick and firm; glabrous, light green above, paler beneath; petioles short, stout, bearing 2 large red glands near the blade.
FLOWERS.—May, before the leaves; perfect; slightly fragrant; about 1 inch across; borne on slender, glabrous, red pedicels in 2-3-flowered umbels; calyx 5-lobed, dark red; petals 5, white; stamens 15-20, with purple anthers; ovary 1-celled; style 1; stigma 1.
FRUIT.—August-September; a fleshy drupe, about 1 inch long, oblong-ovoid, with a tough, thick, orange-red skin nearly free from bloom, and yellow flesh adherent to the flat stone. Eaten raw or cooked.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds 1/8-1/4 inch long, ovate, acute, chestnut-brown.
BARK.—Twigs green, marked by numerous pale excrescences, later dark brown; thin, gray-brown and smooth on young trunks, but soon splitting off in large, thick plates, exposing the darker inner bark.
WOOD.—Heavy, hard, strong, close-grained, light red-brown, with thin, lighter colored sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula north of Lansing.
HABITAT.—Prefers rich, alluvial soil along streams.
NOTES.—Suckers freely, forming low, broad thickets.
Coffeetree. Kentucky CoffeetreeCoffeetree. Kentucky Coffeetree1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/4.3. Leaflet, × 1/2.4. Vertical section of staminate flower, enlarged.5. Vertical section of pistillate flower, enlarged.6. Fruit, × 1/4.
Coffeetree. Kentucky Coffeetree
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/4.3. Leaflet, × 1/2.4. Vertical section of staminate flower, enlarged.5. Vertical section of pistillate flower, enlarged.6. Fruit, × 1/4.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/4.3. Leaflet, × 1/2.4. Vertical section of staminate flower, enlarged.5. Vertical section of pistillate flower, enlarged.6. Fruit, × 1/4.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Leaf, × 1/4.3. Leaflet, × 1/2.4. Vertical section of staminate flower, enlarged.5. Vertical section of pistillate flower, enlarged.6. Fruit, × 1/4.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Leaf, × 1/4.
3. Leaflet, × 1/2.
4. Vertical section of staminate flower, enlarged.
5. Vertical section of pistillate flower, enlarged.
6. Fruit, × 1/4.
HABIT.—A slender tree 50-75 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2-3 feet; divides near the ground into several stems which spread slightly to form a narrow, pyramidal crown; branchlets stout, clumsy, blunt, with conspicuous leaf-scars.
LEAVES.—Alternate, bipinnately compound, 1-3 feet long. Leaflets 40 or more, 2-2-1/2 inches long and one-half as broad; short-stalked; ovate, acute; entire; thin and firm; dark green above, pale yellow-green and glabrous beneath. Petioles stout, terete, glabrous. Appear late in spring.
FLOWERS.—June, after the leaves; dioecious; greenish white; the staminate short-stalked, in racemose corymbs 3-4 inches long; the pistillate long-stalked, in racemes 10-12 inches long; calyx tubular, hairy; petals 5, keeled, nearly white; stamens 10; ovary hairy.
FRUIT.—Ripens in autumn, but remains closed until late in winter; short-stalked, red-brown legumes 6-10 inches long, 1-1/2-2 inches wide, containing 6-9 large, flat seeds.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds minute, depressed, 2 in the axil of each leaf, bronze-brown, silky-pubescent.
BARK.—Twigs coated with short, dense, reddish pubescence, becoming light brown; thick, deeply fissured and scaly on the trunk, dark gray.
WOOD.—Heavy, somewhat soft, strong, coarse-grained, very durable in contact with the soil, light red-brown, with thin, lighter colored sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Southern Michigan as far north as the Grand River. Infrequent.
HABITAT.—Prefers bottom-lands and rich soil.
NOTES.—The seeds in early days were used as a substitute for coffee.
Honey Locust. Three-thorned AcaciaHoney Locust. Three-thorned Acacia1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Vertical section through lateral buds, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/4.4. Leaflet, × 1.5. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Staminate flower, enlarged.7. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.8. Pistillate flower, enlarged.9. Fruit, × 1/3.10. Spine from trunk, × 1/2.
Honey Locust. Three-thorned Acacia
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Vertical section through lateral buds, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/4.4. Leaflet, × 1.5. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Staminate flower, enlarged.7. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.8. Pistillate flower, enlarged.9. Fruit, × 1/3.10. Spine from trunk, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Vertical section through lateral buds, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/4.4. Leaflet, × 1.5. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Staminate flower, enlarged.7. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.8. Pistillate flower, enlarged.9. Fruit, × 1/3.10. Spine from trunk, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Vertical section through lateral buds, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/4.4. Leaflet, × 1.5. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.6. Staminate flower, enlarged.7. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.8. Pistillate flower, enlarged.9. Fruit, × 1/3.10. Spine from trunk, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Vertical section through lateral buds, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1/4.
4. Leaflet, × 1.
5. Staminate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
6. Staminate flower, enlarged.
7. Pistillate flowering branchlet, × 1/2.
8. Pistillate flower, enlarged.
9. Fruit, × 1/3.
10. Spine from trunk, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A tree usually 50-75 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2-3 feet; dividing near the ground into several large, upright branches which divide again into long, slender, horizontal branchlets; both trunk and large branches armed with stout, rigid, simple or branched spines.
LEAVES.—Alternate, pinnately or bipinnately compound, 7-12 inches long. Leaflets 18 or more, 3/4-1-1/2 inches long, one-third as broad; lanceolate-oblong; remotely crenulate-serrate; thin; lustrous, dark green above, dull yellow-green beneath. Petioles and rachises pubescent.
FLOWERS.—May-June, when the leaves are nearly full grown; polygamo-dioecious; the staminate in short, many-flowered, pubescent racemes; the pistillate in slender, few-flowered racemes; on shoots of the preceding season; calyx campanulate, hairy 3-5-lobed; petals 3-5, greenish; stamens 3-10; ovary 1-celled, woolly.
FRUIT.—Autumn, falling in early winter; flat, pendent, twisted, brown legumes, 12-18 inches long, short-stalked in short racemes; seeds 12-14, oval, flattened.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds minute, 3 or more superposed, glabrous, brownish.
BARK.—Twigs lustrous, red-brown, becoming gray-brown; thick on the trunk, iron-gray to blackish and deeply fissured into long, narrow ridges roughened by small scales.
WOOD.—Hard, strong, coarse-grained, durable in contact with the ground, red-brown, with thin, pale sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Indigenous to the extreme southern portion of the state, but is planted as far north as Bay City.
HABITAT.—Prefers deep, rich loam, but grows on a variety of soils.
NOTES.—Grows rapidly and is long-lived and free from disease. Easily transplanted. The leaves appear late in spring and fall early in autumn. The stiff spines and long pods which litter the ground make the tree unsuitable for street or ornamental use.
Redbud. Judas-treeRedbud. Judas-tree1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, front view, enlarged.3. Portion of twig, side view, enlarged.4. Leaf, × 1/2.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
Redbud. Judas-tree
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, front view, enlarged.3. Portion of twig, side view, enlarged.4. Leaf, × 1/2.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, front view, enlarged.3. Portion of twig, side view, enlarged.4. Leaf, × 1/2.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Portion of twig, front view, enlarged.3. Portion of twig, side view, enlarged.4. Leaf, × 1/2.5. Flowering branchlet, × 1.6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.7. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Portion of twig, front view, enlarged.
3. Portion of twig, side view, enlarged.
4. Leaf, × 1/2.
5. Flowering branchlet, × 1.
6. Vertical section of flower, enlarged.
7. Fruit, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A small tree 20-30 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 10-15 inches; divided near the ground into stout, straggling branches to form a broad, flat crown.
LEAVES.—Alternate, simple, 3-5 inches long and broad; heart-shaped or rounded; entire; thick; glabrous, dark green above, paler beneath, turning bright yellow in autumn; petioles slender, terete, enlarged at the base.
FLOWERS.—April-May, before or with the leaves; perfect; 1/2 inch long; borne on short, jointed pedicels in fascicles of 4-8; calyx campanulate, 5-toothed, dark red; petals 5, rose color; stamens 10, in 2 rows.
FRUIT.—June-July, remaining on the tree until early winter; a short-stalked legume 2-1/2-3 inches long, pointed at both ends, rose color; seeds 10-12, brownish, 1/4 inch long.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds 1/8 inch long, obtuse, somewhat flattened and appressed, brownish.
BARK.—Twigs lustrous, brown, becoming dark or grayish brown; red-brown, deeply fissured, with a scaly surface on old trunks.
WOOD.—Heavy, hard, coarse-grained, weak, dark red-brown, with thin, lighter colored sapwood.
DISTRIBUTION.—Valleys of the Grand and Raisin Rivers and southward.
HABITAT.—Prefers the borders of streams and rich bottom-lands, often in the shade of other trees.
NOTES.—A rapid grower. Hardy within its range. Can be transplanted with success only when very young. Plants begin to produce flowers freely when 4-5 years old. Much used in landscape gardening.
Locust. Black LocustLocust. Black Locust1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Vertical section through lateral buds, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/2.4. Raceme of flowers, × 1/2.5. Flower, with part of corolla removed, enlarged.6. Fruit, × 1/2.
Locust. Black Locust
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Vertical section through lateral buds, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/2.4. Raceme of flowers, × 1/2.5. Flower, with part of corolla removed, enlarged.6. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Vertical section through lateral buds, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/2.4. Raceme of flowers, × 1/2.5. Flower, with part of corolla removed, enlarged.6. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.2. Vertical section through lateral buds, enlarged.3. Leaf, × 1/2.4. Raceme of flowers, × 1/2.5. Flower, with part of corolla removed, enlarged.6. Fruit, × 1/2.
1. Winter twig, × 1.
2. Vertical section through lateral buds, enlarged.
3. Leaf, × 1/2.
4. Raceme of flowers, × 1/2.
5. Flower, with part of corolla removed, enlarged.
6. Fruit, × 1/2.
HABIT.—A tree 50-75 feet high, with a trunk diameter of 2-3 feet; forming a narrow, oblong crown of irregular, more or less contorted branches.
LEAVES.—Alternate, compound, 8-14 inches long. Leaflets 7-21, short-petiolate, 1-2 inches long, about one-half as broad; ovate to oblong-oval; entire; very thin; dull dark green above, paler beneath, glabrous both sides. Petioles slender, pubescent.
FLOWERS.—May-June, after the leaves; perfect; showy and abundant; very fragrant; borne on slender pedicels in loose, drooping racemes 4-5 inches long; about 1 inch long; calyx short, bell-shaped, 5-lobed, hairy; corolla papilionaceous, white, 5-petaled; stamens 10.
FRUIT.—Late autumn, but persistent on the tree through the winter; a smooth, dark brown, flat pod 3-4 inches long, containing 4-8 small, flattish, brown seeds.
WINTER-BUDS.—Terminal bud absent; lateral buds minute, 3-4 superposed, partially sunken within the leaf-scar, rusty-hairy.
BARK.—Twigs smooth, green, more or less rough-dotted at first, becoming red-brown and armed with prickles; dark red-brown and thick on old trunks, deeply furrowed into firm, sinuous ridges.
WOOD.—Heavy, very strong and hard, close-grained, very durable in contact with the soil, brown, with very thin, pale yellow sapwood.
NOTES.—Native to the Appalachian Mountains, but much planted in Michigan for ornamental and economic uses. Very rapid of growth in youth. Short-lived. Seriously attacked by borers. Spreads by underground shoots.