R. máximum.R. máximum.
R. máximum.
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.
Genus53. 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.
C. acuminàta.C. acuminàta.
C. acuminàta.
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.
C. alnifòlia.C. alnifòlia.
C. alnifòlia.
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.
OrderXXVI. SAPOTÀCEÆ.
(Sapodilla Family.)
A small order, mainly of tropical plants, here including one genus found only in the southern part of our range.
Genus54. 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.
B. lanuginòsa.B. lanuginòsa.
B. lanuginòsa.
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.
B. lycioìdes.B. lycioìdes.
B. lycioìdes.
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.
OrderXXVII. EBENÀCEÆ.(Ebony Family.)
A small order of mostly tropical trees and shrubs.
Genus55. DIOSPỲROS.
Trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, entire, feather-veined leaves. Flowers small, inconspicuous, mostly diœcious. 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.
D. Virginiàna.D. Virginiàna.
D. Virginiàna.
D. Lòtus and D. Kàki.D. Lòtus and D. Kàki.
D. Lòtus and D. Kàki.
Diospỳros 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 diœcious; 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 Illinoisand south; also cultivated.Diospỳros Lòtus(Date-plum), with leaves very dark green above, much paler and downy beneath, and fruit much smaller (2/3 in.), andDiospỳros 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.
OrderXXVIII. STYRACÀCEÆ.
(Storax Family.)
A small order of shrubs and trees, mostly of warm countries.
Genus56. STỲRAX.
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.
S. Americàna.S. Americàna.
S. Americàna.
1.Stỳrax 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.
S. Japónica.S. Japónica.
S. Japónica.
2.Stỳrax Japónica, Sieb. (Japan Storax.) Leaves alternate, membranaceous, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, serrate or crenate, ½ to 3 in. long, smooth or with shortstellate 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.
Genus57. PTEROSTỲRAX.
Similar to Styrax, but with the fruit in panicles, 5-winged, conical, and crowned with the persistent base of the style.
P. corymbòsum.P. corymbòsum.
P. corymbòsum.
Pterostỳrax 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.
Genus58. 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.
H. díptera.H. díptera.
H. díptera.
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.
H. tetráptera.H. tetráptera.
H. tetráptera.
2.Halèsia tetráptera, L.(Four-winged Silverbell Tree.) Leaves smaller (2 to 4 in.), oblong-ovate, finely serrate. Fruit smaller, with4 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.
Genus59. SÝMPLOCOS.
Shrubs or small trees, with leaves furnishing a yellow dye.
S. tinctòria.S. tinctòria.
S. tinctòria.
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.
OrderXXIX. OLEÀCEÆ.(Olive Family.)
An order of trees and shrubs, mainly of temperate regions.
Genus60. 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.
F. Americàna.F. Americàna.
F. Americàna.
1.Fráxinus Americàna, L. (White Ash.) Leaflets 7 to 9 (usually 7), stalked, ovate or lance-oblong, pointed, shining above, pale and either smooth or pubescent beneath, somewhat toothed or entire. Flowers almost always diœcious (May), thus the fruit is found on but a portion of the trees. The fruit (August to September) terete and marginless below, abruptly dilated into the wing, which is 2 to 3 times as long as the terete portion; entire fruit about 1½ in. long. A common large forest-tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, with gray, furrowed bark, smooth, grayish-green branchlets, and rusty-colored buds. Extensively cultivated.
F. pubéscens.F. pubéscens.
F. pubéscens.
2.Fráxinus pubéscens, Lam. (Red Ash.) Like the White Ash, but to be distinguished from it by the down on the young, green or olive-green twigs, and on the footstalks and lower surface of the leaves. Fruit acute, 2-edged at base, gradually dilated into the wings as in Fraxinus viridis. A smaller and more slender tree than the White Ash; growing in about the same localities, but rare west of the Alleghanies; heart-wood darker-colored.
F. víridis.F. víridis.
F. víridis.
3.Fráxinus víridis, Michx. f. (Green Ash.) Smooth throughout; leaflets 5 to 9, bright green on both sides, ovate or oblong-lanceolate, often wedge-shaped at base and serrate above. Fruit acute and 2-edged or margined at base and gradually spreading into an oblanceolate or linear-spatulate wing as in the Red Ash. Small to middle-sized trees (like the Red Ash), found throughout, but common westward.
F. quadrangulàta.F. quadrangulàta.
F. quadrangulàta.
4.Fráxinus quadrangulàta, Michx. (Blue Ash.) Leaflets 7 to 9, short-stalked, oblong-ovate or lanceolate, pointed, sharply serrate, green on both sides. Fruit narrowly oblong, blunt, of the same width at both ends, or slightly narrowed at the base. A large tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, with smooth square twigs on the vigorous growths. Wisconsin to Ohio and Kentucky.
F. platycárpa.F. platycárpa.
F. platycárpa.
5.Fráxinus platycárpa, Michx. (Water-ash.) Leaflets 5 to 7, 3 to 5 in. long, ovate or oblong, acute at both ends, short-stalked, slightly serrate. Branchlets terete, smooth to pubescent. Fruit broadly winged, ¾ in. wide, often 3-winged, tapering to the base. A medium-sized tree in deep river-swamps, Virginia and south.
F. sambucifòlia.F. sambucifòlia.
F. sambucifòlia.
6.Fráxinus sambucifòlia, Lam. (Black Ash.) Leaflets 7 to 11, sessile, oblong-lanceolate, tapering to a point, serrate, obtuse or rounded at base, green and smooth on both sides; when young, with some rusty hairs along the midrib. Fruit without calyx at base and with wing all around the seed-bearing part, blunt at both ends. A slender tree, 40 to 70 ft. high, with dark-blue or black buds.
F. excélsior.F. excélsior.
F. excélsior.
Var. monophýlla.Var. monophýlla.
Var. monophýlla.
7.Fràxinus excélsior, L. (European Ash.) Leaflets 11 to 13 (in some cultivated varieties reduced to 1 to 5), almost sessile, lanceolate-oblong, acuminate, serrate, wedge-shaped at base. Flowers naked, somewhat diœcious, and so the fruit does not form on all the trees. Keys linear-oblong, obtuse, obliquely notched at apex. This species in its very numerous varieties is common in cultivation. One of the most interesting is the Weeping Ash (var.pendula). The most remarkable is the one with simple, from pinnatifid to entire leaves (var.monophylla).
F. òrnus.F. òrnus.
F. òrnus.
8.Fráxinus òrnus.(Flowering Ash.) Leaflets 7 to 9, lanceolate or elliptical, attenuated, serrated, entire at the stalked bases, villous or downy beneath. Flowers fringe-like, white, in large terminal drooping clusters, of 4 or 2 petals. May to June. Fruit small, lance-linear, obtuse, attenuate at each end. A small tree, 15 to 30 ft. high, planted in parks. Not hardy north of New York City without some protection.
Genus61. OSMÁNTHUS.
Shrub or small tree with opposite, thick, evergreen, nearly entire leaves. Flowers small, white, in panicles or corymbs in late spring. Fruit a spherical drupe, ½ in. long, with a 2-seeded stone; hanging on during the winter.
O. Americàna.O. Americàna.
O. Americàna.
Osmánthus Americàna, L.(Devil-wood.) Leaves thick, evergreen, oblong-lanceolate, entire, acute, narrowed to a petiole, 4 to 5 in.long. Flowers diœcious, very small. May. Fruit globular, about ½ in. in diameter, violet-purplish; ripe in autumn, and remaining on the tree through the winter. A small tree, 15 to 20 ft. high, from southern Virginia southward, in moist woods.
Genus62. SYRÍNGA.
Leaves simple, entire, opposite; flowers ornamental, in large, dense clusters. The Lilacs are all beautiful, but form mere shrubs, except the following:
S. Japónica.S. Japónica.
S. Japónica.
Syrínga Japónica.(Japan Lilac.Giant Tree Lilac.) Leaves deciduous, opposite, oval to cordate, thick, dark green, glossy; flowers white, 4-parted, odorless, in very large, dense, erect, terminal clusters, blooming in summer; fruit dry 2-celled pods with 2 to 4 seeds. A magnificent small tree, 20 to 30 ft. high; from Japan; probably hardy throughout.
Genus63. CHIONÁNTHUS.
Low trees or shrubs with simple, deciduous, opposite, entire, thick, smooth, petioled leaves. Flowers 4-parted, with long, slender, delicate white lobes, drooping in clusters from the lower side of the branches and forming a fringe; in early summer. Fruit a purple drupe.
C. Virgínica.C. Virgínica.
C. Virgínica.
Chionánthus Virgínica, L.(Fringe-tree). Leaves smooth, thickish, large (3 to 6 in. long), oval or obovate, entire. The leaves are occasionally somewhat alternate and thin; they resemble those of the Magnolia. Drupe ovoid, ¾ in. long, covered with a bloom. A beautiful small tree or shrub, 8 to 30 ft. high, wild along streams, southern Pennsylvania and southward, and generally cultivated north for its delicate fringe-like flowers. Hardy.
A variety (var.angustifolia) with long, narrow leaves is occasionally cultivated.
OrderXXX. SCROPHULARIÀCEÆ.
(Figwort Family.)
A large order of plants, almost entirely herbaceous; found in all climates; it includes one cultivated tree in this region.
Genus64. PAULÒWNIA.
Tree with opposite (sometimes in whorls of three), large, deciduous, palmately veined, heart-shaped leaves. Leaf-stem often hollow; minute cup-shaped glands, separated from one another, situated on many portions of the leaf, but quite abundant on the upper side at the branching of the veins. Flowers large, in immense panicles; in spring, before the leaves expand. Fruit a dry, ovate, pointed capsule, 1½ in. long, with innumerable flat-winged seeds; hanging on the tree throughout the winter.
P. imperiàlis.P. imperiàlis.
P. imperiàlis.
Paulòwnia imperiàlis, (Imperial Paulownia.) Leaves 7 to 14 in. long, sometimes somewhat lobed, usually very hairy beneath; 2 buds, almost hidden under the bark, above each other in the axil. Flowers purple, nearly 2 in. long, with a peculiar, thick, leather-like calyx. A broad flat-headed tree, of rapid growth when young. Cultivated; from Japan; and hardy throughout, but the flower-buds are winter-killed quite frequently north of New York City.
OrderXXXI. BIGNONIÀCEÆ.
(Bignonia Family.)
An order of woody plants abundant in South America; here including one genus of trees:
Genus65. CATÁLPA.
Trees or shrubs with large, simple, opposite (or whorled in threes), heart-shaped, pointed leaves. Flowers irregular, showy, in large panicles; blooming in June. Fruit long pods with many, winged seeds, hanging on till spring. Branches coarse and stiff. Wood light and close-grained.
C. bignonioìdes.C. bignonioìdes.
C. bignonioìdes.
1.Catálpa bignonioìdes, Walt. (Indian Bean. Southern Catalpa.) The large heart-shaped leaf has connected scaly glands in the axils of the large veins on the lower side; usually entire though sometimes angulated, generally opposite though sometimes in whorls of threes, very downy beneath when young, 6 to 12 in. long. Flowers much spotted with yellow and purple, and with the lower lobe entire. Pod thin, 10 in. or more in length. A medium-sized, wide-spreading tree, 20 to 40 ft. high, of rapid growth, with soft, light wood and thin bark; wild in the Southern States, and extensively cultivated as far north as Albany.
C. speciósa.C. speciósa.
C. speciósa.
2.Catálpa speciósa, Warder. (Indian Bean. Western Catalpa.) Leaves large (5 to 12 in. long), heart-shaped, long-pointed. Flowers 2 in. long, nearly white, faintly spotted, the lower lobes somewhat notched. Pod thick. A large, tall tree, 40 to 60 ft. high, with thick bark; wild in low, rich woodlands, southern Indiana, south and west.
C. Kæ̀mpferi.C. Kæ̀mpferi.
C. Kæ̀mpferi.
Catálpa Kæ̀mpferiandCatálpa Búngeiare dwarf forms from Japan, the latter growing to the height of from 4 to 8 ft., and the former rarely reaching the height of 18 ft. The leaf of C. Kæ̀mpferi is figured. It is more apt to have its margin angulated, though all the species occasionally have angulated leaves.
OrderXXXII. VERBENACEÆ.
Herbs, shrubs, rarely small trees, with opposite leaves, irregular flowers and dry 2- to 4-celled fruits.
Genus66. CLERODÉNDRON.
Shrubby trees or climbing shrubs with opposite or whorled, usually entire leaves; flowers with an almost regular, 5-parted corolla surrounded by a bell-shaped calyx; fruit drupe-like, with 4 seeds.
C. trichótomum.C. trichótomum.
C. trichótomum.
Clerodéndron trichótomum, Thunb. (Fate-tree.) Leaves opposite, long-petioled, cordate, thin, entire, glandular-dotted above, very veiny; lower leaves largest and three-lobed, the upper ovate, long-pointed, all 3-ribbed. Flowers in large, terminal clusters; fruit with juicy pulp covering the 4 seeds. A small tree from Japan; hardy at Washington and south. The figure represents one of the upper leaves.
Genus67. VÍTEX.
Shrubs or low trees with opposite, usually palmate leaves, panicled clusters of flowers and drupe-like fruit.
V. Agnus-cástus.V. Agnus-cástus.
V. Agnus-cástus.
Vítex Agnus-cástus, L.(Chaste-tree.) Leaves long-petioled, palmate, with 5 to 7 lanceolate, acute, nearly entire leaflets, whitened beneath; with an aromatic though unpleasant odor. Branches obtusely 4-sided, hairy; flowers pale lilac, in interrupted panicles, agreeably sweet-scented in late summer. Shrub or small tree, 5 to 10 ft. high, cultivated from southern Europe; hardy at Washington and south. If cultivated further north, it needs protection, at least when young.
OrderXXXIII. LAURÀCEÆ.(Laurel Family.)
An order of aromatic trees and shrubs, chiefly tropical.
Genus68. PÉRSEA.
Aromatic, evergreen trees with alternate, entire, feather-veined leaves. Flowers small, in small close panicles. Fruit small (½ in.) 1-seeded drupes.
P. Carolinénsis.P. Carolinénsis.
P. Carolinénsis.
Pérsea Carolinénsis, Nees. (Red Bay.) Leaves 2 to 5 in. long, oblong, entire, covered with a fine down when young, soon smooth above. Flowers silky, in small rounded clusters on short stems. May. Fruit an ovate, pointed, 1-seeded, deep-blue drupe, ½ in. long, on a red stalk; ripe in autumn. Usually a small tree, 15 to 70 ft. high, wild in swamps, Delaware, Virginia, and south. Wood reddish, beautiful, hard, strong, durable.
Genus69. SÁSSAFRAS.
Aromatic trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, deciduous, often lobed leaves. Juice of bark and leavesmucilaginous. Flowers yellowish-green, in clusters; blooming in early spring. Fruit a small bluish drupe on a thick reddish stem. Ripe in September. Twigs greenish-yellow.
S. officinàle.S. officinàle.
S. officinàle.
Sássafras officinàle, Nees. (Sassafras.) Leaves very variable in form, ovate, entire, or some of them 2- to 3-lobed, soon smooth. Flowering as the leaves are putting forth. Tree 15 to 100 ft. high, common in rich woods. The aromatic fragrance is strongest in the bark of the roots. Wood reddish, rather hard and durable.
Genus70. LÍNDERA.
Shrubs with deciduous, alternate, aromatic leaves and small, yellow flowers in close clusters along the branches. Fruit a drupe on a not-thickened stalk.
L. Benzòin.L. Benzòin.
L. Benzòin.
Líndera Benzòin, Blume. (Spice-bush.Benjamin-bush.) Leaves alternate, oblong-ovate, entire, pale beneath, very spicy in odor and taste; twigs green; leaf-buds scaly; drupes red, ripe in autumn. Flowers 4 to 5 together in sessile umbels; in early spring, before the leaves expand. Common in damp woods throughout.
OrderXXXIV. ELÆAGNÀCEÆ.
(Oleaster Family.)
A small order of shrubs or small trees, with the leaves covered with silvery scurf.
Genus71. ELÆÁGNUS.
Leaves alternate, entire; flowers axillary, stemmed; fruit drupe-like with an 8-grooved stone.
E. lóngipes.E. lóngipes.
E. lóngipes.
Elæágnus lóngipes.(Silver-leaved Elæagnus.) Leaves almost evergreen, rather thick, ovate-oblong, rather blunt, entire, smooth and dark green above, but silvery below. Flowers inconspicuous. Fruit about ½ in. long, bright red, with silvery scales, very abundant and beautiful; ripe in July; juicy and edible, with a pungent flavor. Shrub from Japan; hardy throughout.
Genus72. SHEPHÉRDIA.
Small trees or shrubs with opposite, deciduous, entire, silvery-scaled leaves. Flowers very small, diœcious. Fruit small, berry-like, translucent, 1-seeded.
S. argéntea.S. argéntea.
S. argéntea.
Shephérdia argéntea, Nutt. (Buffalo-berry. Rabbit-berry.) Leaves opposite, oblong-ovate, tapering at base, silvery on both sides, with small peltate scales. Branches often ending in sharp thorns. Fruit, scarlet berries the size of currants, forming continuous clusters on every branch and twig, but found only on the pistillate plants. They are juicy, somewhat sour, pleasant-tasting, and make excellent jelly; ripe in September. A small handsome tree, 5 to 20 ft. high, wild in the Rocky Mountains, and sometimes cultivated east. Its thorny-tipped branches make it a good hedge-plant. Hardy.
OrderXXXV. EUPHORBIÀCEÆ.
(Spurge Family.)
A large order of mainly herbaceous and shrubby plants of warm countries, with usually milky juice.
Genus73. BÚXUS.
Shrubs or trees with opposite, evergreen, entire leaves and small flowers. The fruit 3-celled, 6-seeded pods.
B. sempérvirens.B. sempérvirens.
B. sempérvirens.
Búxus sempérvirens, L. (Boxwood.) Leaves ovate, smooth, dark green; leaf-stems hairy at edge. This plant is a native of Europe, and in its tree form furnishes the white wood used for wood-engraving.
Var.subfruticosa(dwarf boxwood) grows only a foot or two high, and is extensively used for edgings in gardens. The tree form is more rare in cultivation, and is of slow growth, but forms a round-topped tree.
OrderXXXVI. URTICÀCEÆ.(Nettle Family.)
A large order of herbs, shrubs and trees, mainly tropical.
Genus74. ÚLMUS.
Tall umbrella-shaped trees with watery juice and alternate, 2-ranked, simple, deciduous, obliquely ovate to obliquely heart-shaped, strongly straight-veined, serrate leaves, harsh to the touch, often rough. Flowers insignificant, appearing before the leaves. Fruit a flattened, round-winged samara; ripe in the spring and dropping early from the trees. Bark rough with longitudinal ridges.
U. fúlva.U. fúlva.
U. fúlva.
1.Úlmus fúlva, Michx. (Slippery or Red Elm.) Leaves large, 4 to 8 in., very rough above, ovate-oblong, taper-pointed, doubly serrate, soft-downy beneath; branchlets downy; inner bark very mucilaginous; leaves sweet-scented in drying; buds in spring soft and downy with rusty hairs. Fruit with a shallow notch in the wing not nearly reaching the rounded nut. A medium-sized tree, 45 to 60 ft. high, with tough and very durable reddish wood; wild in rich soils throughout.
U. montàna.U. montàna.
U. montàna.
2.Úlmus montàna, Bauh. (Scotch or Witch Elm.) Leaves broad, obovate, abruptly pointed and doubly serrated. Fruit rounded, with a slightly notched wing, naked. Branches drooping at their extremity, their bark smooth and even. A medium-sized tree, 50 to 60 ft. high, with spreading or often drooping branches; extensively cultivated under a dozen different names, among the most peculiar being the White-margined (var.alba marginata), the Crisped-leaved (var.crispa), and the Weeping (var.pendula) Elms.
U. campéstris.U. campéstris.
U. campéstris.
3.Úlmus campéstris, L. (English or Field Elm.) Leaves much smaller and of a darker color than the American Elm, obovate-oblong, abruptly sharp-pointed, doubly serrated, rough. Fruit smooth, with the wing deeply notched. A tall and beautiful cultivated tree, with the branches growing out from the trunk more abruptly than those of the American Elm, and thus forming a more pyramidal tree. A score of named varieties are in cultivation in this country, some with very corky bark, others with curled leaves, and still others with weeping branches.
U. racemòsa.U. racemòsa.
U. racemòsa.
4.Úlmus racemòsa, Thomas. (Cork or Rock Elm.) Leaves 2 to 4 in. long, obovate-oblong, abruptly pointed, often doubly serrated, with very straight veins; twigs and bud-scales downy-ciliate; branches often with corky ridges. Fruit large (½ in. or more long), with a deep notch; hairy. A large tree with fine-grained, heavy and very tough wood. Southwest Vermont, west and south, southwestward to Missouri, on river-banks.
U. alàta.U. alàta.
U. alàta.
5.Úlmus alàta, Michx. (Wahoo or Winged Elm.) Leaves small, 1 to 2 in. long, ovate-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, acute, thickish, downy beneath and nearly smooth above, sharply serrate. Bud-scales and branchlets nearly smooth. Notch in the wing of the fruit deep. A small tree, 30 to 40 ft. high, the branches having corky wings. Wild, Virginia, west and south; rarely cultivated.
U. Americàna.U. Americàna.
U. Americàna.
6.Úlmus Americàna, L. (American or White Elm.) Leaves 2 to 4 in. long, obovate-oblong or oval, abruptly sharp-pointed, sharply and often doubly serrated, soft-pubescent beneath when young, soon quite smooth; buds and branchlets smooth. Fruit ½ in. long, its sharp points incurved and closing the deep notch; hairy only on the edges. A large ornamental tree, usually with spreading branches and drooping branchlets, forming a very wide-spreading top. Wild throughout in rich, moist soil; common in cultivation.
Genus75. PLÁNERA.
Trees or tall shrubs with alternate, simple, pointed, 2-ranked, feather-veined, toothed leaves. Flowers inconspicuous, with the leaves in spring. Fruit a small, nut-like, scaly, globular drupe, ripe in autumn. Bark scaling off like that of the Sycamore.