_Figures to be used in Botanical Description._
[Illustration: Fig. 17.]
[Illustration: Fig. 18.]
[Illustration: Fig. 19.]
[Illustration: Fig. 20.]
[Illustration: Fig. 21.]
[Illustration: Fig. 22.]
[Illustration: Fig. 23.]
[Illustration: Fig. 24.]
[Illustration: Fig. 25.]
[Illustration: Fig. 26.]
[Illustration: Fig. 27.]
[Illustration: Fig. 28.]
[Illustration: Fig. 29.]
[Illustration: Fig. 30.]
[Illustration: Fig. 31.]
[Illustration: Fig. 32.]
[Illustration: Fig. 33.]
[Illustration: Fig. 34.]
[Illustration: Fig. 35.]
[Illustration: Fig. 36.]
[Illustration: Fig. 37.]
[Illustration: Fig. 38.]
[Illustration: Fig. 39.]
[Illustration: Fig. 40.]
[Illustration: Fig. 41.]
[Illustration: Fig. 42.]
[Illustration: Fig. 43.]
[Illustration: Fig. 44.]
[Illustration: Fig. 45.]
[Illustration: Fig. 46.]
[Illustration: Fig. 47.]
[Illustration: Fig. 48.]
[Illustration: Fig. 49.]
[Illustration: Fig. 50.]
[Illustration: Fig. 51.]
[Illustration: Fig. 52.]
[Illustration: Fig. 53.]
[Illustration: Fig. 54.]
[Illustration: Fig. 55.]
[Illustration: Fig. 56.]
[Illustration: Fig. 57.]
[Illustration: Fig. 58.]
[Illustration: Fig. 59.]
[Illustration: Fig. 60.]
[Illustration: Fig. 61.]
[Illustration: Fig. 62.]
[Illustration: Fig. 63.]
[Illustration: Fig. 64.]
[Illustration: Fig. 65.]
[Illustration: Fig. 66.]
[Illustration: Fig. 67.]
PART II.
PLAN AND MODELS FOR TREE DESCRIPTION
All pupils should be required to write some form of composition on the
trees of the region. As far as possible, these compositions should be
the result of personal investigation. It is not what a pupil can read
and redescribe in more or less his own words, but how accurately he can
see and, from the information conveyed by his own senses, describe in
his own way the things he has observed, that makes the use of such a
book as this important as an educational aid. Some information in regard
to trees, in a finished description, must be obtained from books, such
as hardiness, geographical distribution, etc. Pupils generally should be
required to include only those things which they can give from actual
observation.
There are four distinct forms of tree descriptions that might be
recognized by the teacher and occasionally called for as work from the
pupil. 1st. A bare skeleton description, written by aid of a topical
outline, from the observation of a single tree and its parts. 2d. A
connected description, conveying as many facts given in the outline as
can well be brought into good English sentences. This again is the
description of a single tree. 3d. A connected, readable description of a
certain kind of tree, made up from the observation of many trees of the
same species to be found in the neighborhood. 4th. The third description
including information to be obtained from outside sources in regard to
the origin, geographical distribution, hardiness, character of wood,
habits, durability, etc. These four plans of description are more or
less successive methods to be introduced as the work of a class. Pupils
should be induced to carry on their own investigations as far as
possible before going to printed sources for information. A good part of
class work should be devoted to the first three of the methods given,
but the work might finally include the fourth form of composition. The
first two methods should follow each other with each of the trees
studied; that is, one week let a mere outline be written, to be followed
the next week with as clear and connected a description as the ability
of the pupil will allow, and containing as much of the information given
in the outline as possible.
OUTLINE FOR TREE DESCRIPTION.
_The tree as a whole_: size, general form, trunk, branching, twigs,
character of bark, color of bark on trunk, branches, and fine spray.
_Leaves_: parts, arrangement, kinds, size, thickness, form, edges,
veining, color, surface, duration.
_Buds_: position, size, form, covering, number, color.
_Sap_ and _juice_.
_Flowers_: size, shape, color, parts, odor, position, time of blooming,
duration.
_Fruit_: size, kind, form, color when young and when ripe, time of
ripening, substance, seeds, duration, usefulness.
_Wood_ (often necessarily omitted): hardness, weight, color, grain,
markings, durability.
_Remarks_: the peculiarities not brought out by the above outline.
NOTES ON THE FOREGOING OUTLINE.
The height of a tree can be readily determined by the following plan.
Measure the height you can easily reach from the ground in feet and
inches. Step to the trunk of the tree you wish to measure and, reaching
up to this height, pin a piece of white paper on the tree. Step back a
distance equal to three or four times the height of the tree; hold a
lead-pencil upright between the thumb and forefinger at arm's-length.
Fix it so that the end of the pencil shall be in line with the paper on
the trunk; move the thumb down the pencil till it is in line with the
ground at the base of the tree; move the arm and pencil upward till the
thumb is in line with the paper, and note where the end of the pencil
comes on the tree. Again move the pencil till the thumb is in line with
the new position, and so continue the process till the top of the tree
is reached. The number of the measures multiplied by the height you can
reach will give quite accurately the height of the tree.
The width of the tree can be determined in the same manner, the pencil,
however, being held horizontally.
In giving the forms of trees, it is well to accompany the description
with a penciled outline.
The distance from the ground at which the trunk begins to branch and the
extent of the branching should be noted. The direction taken by the
branches, as well as the regularity and the irregularity of their
position, should also be observed and described.
Although most twigs are cylindrical, still there are enough exceptions
to make it necessary to examine them with reference to their form.
Under leaves, it will be well to make drawings, both of the outline and
of the veining.
Crushed leaves will give the odor, and the sap can best be noticed at
the bases of young leaves. The differences in sap and juice need the
following words for their description: _watery_, _milky_,
_mucilaginous_, _aromatic_, _spicy_, _sweet_, _gummy_, _resinous_.
Pupils should not always be expected to find out much about the flowers
of a tree, as they are frequently very evanescent, and usually difficult
to reach.
The fruit lasts a greater length of time and, usually dropping
spontaneously, gives a much better chance for investigation.
Specimens of most of the common woods may be obtained from
cabinet-makers and carpenters. In cases where these specimens are at
hand, description of the wood should be required. If the school has such
specimens as are described in Chapter VI., Part I., the wood in all its
peculiarities can be described.
EXAMPLES OF TREE DESCRIPTION.
_Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress)._
_(Atterbury's Meadow.)_
_No. 1._
Tree eighty-four feet tall, thirty feet wide near base, ovate, conical,
pointed; trunk seven feet in circumference near base and ridged
lengthwise, but only four feet at the height of six feet from the
ground, where it becomes round or nearly so, then gradually tapering to
the top; branches small, very numerous, beginning six feet from the
ground, sloping upward from the trunk at an angle of nearly forty-five
degrees; twigs very slender, numerous, pendulous, two, three or even
more growing together from supernumerary buds around the old scars; bark
brownish, quite rough, thick and soft on the trunk, smoother on the
branches, greenish on the young spray.
[Illustration]
Leaves about sessile, without stipules, alternate, crowded, two-ranked,
thin, linear, entire, parallel-veined, with midrib, dark green, smooth,
deciduous.
Buds show in the axils of only a few of the leaves, and are very small;
but there are several supernumerary buds around many of the clusters of
the shoots of the year.
Sap clear and slightly sticky with resin.
[Illustration]
Flowers looked for, but not seen; must have been small, or have bloomed
before my examination in the spring.
Fruit one inch in diameter, cone globular, brown in the autumn; did not
notice it before; fifteen six-sided scales, two seeds under each, still
hanging on, though the leaves have dropped; only to produce seeds, I
think.
The wood I do not know about.
_Remarks._ Around the base, at some distance from the trunk, there are
four peculiar knobs, seemingly coming from the roots, one being nearly a
foot high and nine inches through.
_No. 2._
The Bald Cypress standing near a small ditch in Atterbury's meadow is a
very beautiful, tall, conical tree, over 80 feet high, with an excurrent
trunk which is very large and ridged near the ground. It tapers rapidly
upward, so that the circumference is only about half as great at the
height of 6 feet, where the branches begin. The branches are very
numerous and, considering the size of the trunk, very small; the largest
of them being only about 2 inches through. They all slope upward
rapidly, but the tip and fine spray show a tendency to droop; the fine
thread-like branchlets, bearing the leaves of the year, are almost all
pendulous.
The bark is very rough, thick and soft, as I found in pinning on the bit
of paper to measure the height of the tree, when I could easily press
the pin in to its head.
The leaves are very small and delicate, and as they extend out in two
ranks from the thread-like twigs, look much like fine ferns. The small
linear leaves and the spray drop off together in the autumn, as I can
find much of last year's foliage on the ground still fastened to the
twigs. I could not see any flowers, though I looked from early in the
spring till the middle of the summer; then I saw a few of the globular
green cones, almost an inch in diameter, showing that it had bloomed.
Next spring I shall begin to look for the blossoms before the leaves
come out.
On the ground, about 6 feet from the tree, there are four very strange
knobs which I did not notice till I stumbled over one of them. They seem
to grow from the roots, and are quite soft and reddish in color.
_No. 3._
I have found twenty-two Bald Cypresses in Trenton; they are all
beautiful conical trees, and seem to grow well in almost any soil, as I
have found some in very wet places and some in dry, sandy soil. They
look from their position as though they had been planted out, and as I
have found none in the woods around the town, they are probably not
native in this region. They are from 50 to nearly 100 feet tall. I found
one 96 feet high. They are all of a very symmetrical, conical form, and
pointed at the top; in no case has the trunk divided into branches, and
on the old trees the trunk enlarges curiously near the ground, the lower
portion being very rough with ridges. The bark is very thick and rough,
and is so soft that a pin can readily be pushed through it to the wood.
The branches are very numerous and small, and are not regularly arranged
in whorls like most of the narrow-leaved trees. These branches all slope
upward from the trunk, the ends having a tendency to bend downward and
make delicate drooping spray, with very small, linear, entire leaves
only 1/2 inch long. Four of the largest trees show fruit, and each of
these has only about a half-dozen of the globular cones. Only a few of
the trees--those in the wettest places--have the knobs on the ground
near the base.
_No. 4._
The Bald Cypress (_Taxodium distichum_) is a common tree, a native of
the Gulf States, growing very abundantly in the wettest swamps of that
region. The northern limit of the tree in its wild state is said to be
central Delaware and southern Illinois, but it can be successfully
cultivated in the region around Boston. There are several named
varieties, one with the leaves but slightly spreading from the spray,
and the whole of the branches showing a decided weeping tendency, so
that it is called the Weeping Cypress. The knobs from the roots, called
Cypress-knees, grow very abundantly around all the trees in the southern
swamps. These grow to the height of from 2 to 4 feet, and are very
thick, sometimes as much as 5 feet. They are hollow, and are
occasionally used for bee-hives.
It is said to be a broad, flat-topped tree, spreading its top over other
trees. This seems very strange, as none of those in Trenton, N. J., show
such a tendency, but are quite spire-shaped. The wood is light, soft,
straight-grained, and is said to be excellent for shingles and for other
purposes. It generally has a dark reddish or brownish hue. It is a large
tree, growing to the height of 140 feet. The trunk is sometimes 12 feet
through near the ground. The flowers of the tree are in small catkins,
blooming before the leaves expand in the early spring; in February, in
South Carolina.
PART III.
KEY, CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIES.
_Method of Using the Key._
First read _all_ the statements following the stars (*) at the beginning
of the Key; decide which one of the statements best suits the specimen
you have. At the end of the chosen one there is a letter in parenthesis
( ). Somewhere below, this letter is used two or more times. Read
carefully _all_ the statements following this letter; at the end of the
one which most nearly states the facts about your specimen, you will
again be directed by a letter to another part of the Key. Continue this
process till, instead of a letter, there is a number and name. The name
is that of the genus, and forms the first part of the scientific name of
the plant. Turn to the descriptive part of the book, where this number,
in regular order, is found. Here descriptions of the species of the
genus are given. If there are many species, another Key will lead to the
species. While the illustrations are intended to represent
characteristic specimens, too much dependence must not be placed upon
them; the leaves even of the same plant vary considerably, and the
different varieties, especially of a cultivated plant, vary widely. Read
the whole description before deciding.
The fractions beside the figures indicate the scale of the drawing as
compared with the natural size of the part: 1/1 indicates natural size;
2/1, that the drawing is twice the length of the object; 1/4, that the
drawing is one fourth the length of the object, etc.
In the description of leaves the dimensions given refer to the blade.
=KEY TO THE GENERA OF TREES.=
* Leaves narrow linear, needle, scale or awl shaped,
usually but not always evergreen. (=GG.=) page 60.
* Leaves broad, flat, usually deciduous, occasionally
evergreen, rarely over 5 times as long as wide.
(=A.=)
=A.= Leaves alternate,[1] simple. (=B.=)
=A.= Leaves alternate, compound. (=m.=) page 57.
=A.= Leaves opposite or whorled on the stem. (=u.=) page 58.
=B.= Leaves with a midrib, netted-veined. (=C.=)
=B.= Leaves without a midrib, parallel-veined 109. _Salisburia._
=C.= With radiating ribs, and including those which have
the lower ribs longer and more branching than those
above them. (=f.=) page 56.
=C.= With distinct and definite feather-veining. (=D.=)
=D.= Margin entire, or so nearly so as to appear entire,
sometimes slightly angulated but not lobed. (=V.=)
=D.= Once or twice serrate or crenate or wavy-edged, but not
lobed. (=E.=)
=D.= Distinctly lobed. (=S.=)
(If the notches are over 10 on a side, look under =E.=)
=E.= Straight-veined. (=M.=)
=E.= Not distinctly and evenly straight-veined. (=F.=)
=F.= Leaves evergreen with either revolute or spiny-tipped
margins 18. _Ilex._
=F.= Leaves evergreen, lanceolate-oblong, minutely serrate;
flowers white, 4 in. in diameter 8. _Gordonia._
=F.= Leaves deciduous. (=G.=)
=G.= Fruit with fleshy and often edible pulp. (=K.=)
=G.= Fruit a dry and more or less rounded pod. (=H.=)
=G.= Fruit and flowers in dry catkins; leaves, in most
species, 3 or more times as long as wide, finely
serrate to entire, with free stipules, in many
species remaining on the young twigs, in others shown
by a rounded scar on the sides of the stem; wood
soft; the Willows 91. _Salix._
=G.= Fruit dry akenes with silky pappus, in small heads;
whole plant whitened with scurf; leaves broadened and
coarsely notched near tip; a broad spreading bush
49. _Baccharis._
=H.= Flowers conspicuous, 1 in. or more in size, white.
(=J.=)
=H.= Flowers quite small. (=I.=)
=I.= Flowers and fruit in large panicles; leaves
elongated, peach-like in shape, sour 50. _Oxydendrum._
=I.= Flowers in terminal, erect racemes; fruit small,
three-celled pods; leaves oval, 3-7 in. long,
pointed, thin, finely serrate; plant hardly a tree
53. _Clethra._
=I.= Fruit rounded, small, with calyx adhering to the
lower part, one-seeded, in clusters of 3-many; leaves
1-3 in. long. 56. _Styrax._
=I.= Fruit hairy, in long, hanging panicles, tipped with
long, persistent style, one-seeded 57. _Pterostyrax._
=J.= Flowers bell-shaped, 1 in. long; leaves widest below
the middle; fruit winged pods 58. _Halesia._
=J.= Flowers spreading, 2 in. broad; leaves about twice as
long as wide, widest near the center 7. _Stuartia._
=J.= Flowers spreading, 3 in. broad; leaves about 3 times as
long as wide, widest near tip 8. _Gordonia._
=K.= Fruit a plum-like drupe with a single bony stone;
plant sometimes thorny 36. _Prunus._
=K.= Fruit berry-like, ending in a conspicuous spreading
calyx; plant generally quite thorny 38. _Crataegus._
=K.= Fruit berry-like, black when ripe, small, without
calyx, with usually 3 cartilaginous coated seeds
20. _Rhamnus._
=K.= Fruit berry-like, red when ripe, small, without
calyx, with usually 4-6 hard-coated, grooved nutlets
18. _Ilex._
=K.= Fruit a small or large apple-like pome, with the
seeds in horny cells. (=L.=)
=L.= Fruit about 1/2 in. in diameter, sweet, in drooping
racemes 39. _Amelanchier._
=L.= Fruit either sour or much larger, and not in elongated
racemes 37. _Pyrus._
=M.= Leaves harsh to the touch; somewhat oblique at base;
quite distinctly two-ranked; large trees 74. _Ulmus._
=M.= Leaves decidedly oblique at base; margin wavy; small
tree, usually a shrub 40. _Hamamelis._
=M.= Fruit berry-like, ending in a conspicuous spreading
calyx; plant generally quite thorny 38. _Crataegus._
=M.= Leaves not regularly oblique at base; plant not
thorny. (=N.=)
=N.= Leaves thin and light, not harsh to the touch; spray
light; bark smooth, in two species somewhat rough on
the trunk. (=Q.=)
=N.= Leaves thick; edge wavy, almost lobed; fruit an acorn.
88. _Quercus._
=N.= Leaves broad for the length, generally doubly serrate
or wavy and serrate; shrubs, rarely tall enough for
trees. (=P.=)
=N.= Not included in the above. (=O.=)
=O.= Leaves 3 or more times as long as wide, widest near
the center; fruit a round, prickly bur with 1-3
horny-coated nuts 89. _Castanea._
=O.= Leaves widest near the sharply serrate tip, narrow
and entire near the base; fruit small pods in
terminal racemes; small tree or shrub 53. _Clethra._
=O.= Leaves widest near the base, usually small; bark
scaling off like the Buttonwood; fruit axillary,
solitary, small (1/4 in.) roundish, dry drupes. A
cultivated species, has rather large leaves, widest
near the center 75. _Planera._
=P.= Fruit an open oval woody catkin or cone, remaining on
the plant through the winter 84. _Alnus._
=P.= Fruit a rounded stony nut, in green leafy edged bracts;
shrubs or small trees 85. _Corylus._
=Q.= Usually aromatic; bark dotted on the spray and with
horizontal marks on the trunk, peeling off in thin,
often papery layers 83. _Betula._
=Q.= Bark not peeling off in thin layers. (=R.=)
=R.= Leaf-buds long and slender; fruit a small prickly bur
with two triangular, horny-coated nuts; large trees
90. _Fagus._
=R.= Fruit an elongated catkin with large leaf-like bracts;
bark close, gray, on a grooved trunk 87. _Carpinus._
=R.= Fruit a hop-like catkin; bark brownish, finely furrowed
86. _Ostrya._
=S.= Plant more or less thorny; shrub or small tree;
fruit rounded berries ending in persistent
calyx-lobes 38. _Crataegus._
=S.= Plant not thorny. (=T.=)
=T.= Leaf deeply pinnatifid, usually with the basal lobes
completely separated; cultivated 37. _Pyrus._
=T.= End of leaf as though cut off; sides with one large
lobe; margin entire; large tree 2. _Liriodendron._
=T.= Lower leaves three-lobed, heart-shaped at base, upper
merely ovate, margin entire; small tree or shrub
66. _Clerodendron._
=T.= Not as above; leaves usually many-lobed. (=U.=)
=U.= Leaves thin; bark of trunk peeling off in thin
horizontal strips 83. _Betula._
=U.= Leaves thin; leaf-buds long, slender, sharp-pointed;
bark smooth, not peeling; cultivated 90. _Fagus._
=U.= Leaves thickish; bark roughish; fruit an oval woody
cone, remaining on through the year 84. _Alnus._
=U.= Leaves thick; fruit an acorn 88. _Quercus._
=V.= Leaves evergreen, small, 2-3 in. long, thick, with
revolute margins; fruit an acorn 88. _Quercus._
=V.= Leaves evergreen, oval to lance-oval, usually large;
small trees, almost shrubs. (=d.=) page 56.
=V.= Leaves deciduous (some are evergreen in the Southern
States). (=W.=)
=W.= Plant more or less spiny. (=c.=)
=W.= Plant not at all spiny. (=X.=)
=X.= Leaf-blade thin, long, pointed, with curved parallel
veins or ribs 45. _Cornus._
=X.= Leaf-blade thin, circular or broadly oval in outline,
with blunt, almost rounded apex; veins not regularly
parallel 27. _Rhus._
=X.= Leaf quite elongated, 5 or more times as long as wide.
(=b.=)
=X.= Leaves with none of the above peculiarities. (=Y.=)
=Y.= Deciduous bud-scales (stipules), leaving a scar or
mark completely around the stem at the base of the
leaves. 1. _Magnolia._
=Y.= Leaves covered on one or both sides with silvery
scales 71. _Elaeagnus._
=Y.= No such ring around the stem, or silvery scales on
the leaves. (=Z.=)
=Z.= Leaves distinctly straight-veined, thin 90. _Fagus._
=Z.= Leaves thick, obtuse; fruit an acorn 88. _Quercus._
=Z.= Leaves 6 in. or more long; crushed leaves with a rank,
fetid odor 5. _Asimina._
=Z.= Leaves 3-5 in. long; twigs and leaves very spicy; shrub
rather than tree 70. _Lindera._
=Z.= Leaves about 2 in. long, oval, on twigs which have
ridges extending down from the sides of the leafstalk;
small tree, almost a shrub, with beautiful flowers
43. _Lagerstroemia._
=Z.= Leaves not as above. (=a.=)
=a.= Fruit a large (1/2-1 1/2 in.) rounded pulpy berry with a
heavy calyx at the base 55. _Diospyros._
=a.= Fruit small (1/4 in.), fleshy, drupe-like, with a
striate stone; limbs branching horizontally, often
descending 46. _Nyssa._
=a.= Fruit a black, juicy berry (1/3-1/2 in.), with about 3
seeds 20. _Rhamnus._
=a.= Fruit an ovoid dry drupe (1/2 in.); leaves
sweet-tasting 59. _Symplocos._
=a.= Fruit an apple-like pome (Quince) 37. _Pyrus._
=b.= Wood soft; both kinds of flowers in catkins in spring;
with either stipules or stipular sears 91. _Salix._
=b.= Wood hard; leaves thick; fruit an acorn 88. _Quercus._
=c.= Fruit a 2-4-seeded small berry; juice not milky
20. _Rhamnus._
=c.= Fruit large, orange-like in size and color when ripe;
juice milky 77. _Maclura._
=c.= Fruit small, black when ripe, cherry-like; juice
milky 54. _Bumelia._
=d.= Aromatic; berries dark blue on red stalks 68. _Persea._
=d.= Not aromatic; leaves nearly 1 ft. long; flowers large
and solitary. 1. _Magnolia._
=d.= Not aromatic; leaves 1-4 in. long; flowers very small;
fruit small dark-colored berries, with 2-4 seeds 20. _Rhamnus._
=d.= Not aromatic; flowers large, in showy clusters. (=e.=)
=e.= Leaves 5 in. or more long 52. _Rhododendron._
=e.= Leaves less than 4 in. long 51. _Kalmia._
=f.= Leaves decidedly aromatic, usually somewhat
irregularly lobed, margin entire, base tapering 69. _Sassafras._
=f.= Leaves usually deltoid, sometimes heart-shaped with
serrate margin and gummy buds, rarely palmately lobed.
All have either the petiole flattened sidewise, the
leaf-blade densely silvery-white beneath, or gummy
aromatic buds 92. _Populus._
=f.= Leaves broadly heart-shaped; margin entire; small tree
with abundance of red flowers in early spring; fruit a
pea-like pod. 32. _Cercis._
=f.= Leaves not as above given. (=g.=)
=g.= Leaves broadly heart-shaped, with a serrate margin
and a petiole about as long as the blade, sometimes
longer; base of leaf not oblique 4. _Idesia._
=g.= Leaves broadly heart-shaped, those on the suckers
much lobed; base not oblique; margin serrate; juice
milky; bark very tough. (=l.=)
=g.= Leaves broadly heart-shaped, with an oblique base;
margin regularly serrate; juice not milky 11. _Tilia._
=g.= Leaves slightly if at all heart-shaped at base,
usually somewhat oblique, with neither milky juice
nor lobes. (=j.=)
=g.= Leaves decidedly and quite regularly lobed. (=h.=)
=h.= Leaves with 3-5 large lobes, the margin entire or
slightly angulated. 10. _Sterculia._
=h.= Leaves star-shaped, with 5-9 pointed, serrate lobes.
(=i.=)
=h.= Leaves large, irregularly margined; leaf-stem covering
the bud; large tree 80. _Platanus._
=h.= Plant quite thorny; fruit berry-like, ending in a
conspicuous spreading calyx; small trees or shrubs with
apple-like blossoms. 38. _Crataegus._
=h.= Leaves with a tapering base; small tree, almost a
shrub, with large Hollyhock-like flowers; plant not
thorny 9. _Hibiscus._
=i.= Large tree, with fruit 1 in. in diameter, dry,
rough, hanging on a long stem 41. _Liquidambar._
=i.= Small tree with few branches and the trunk usually
quite prickly; fruit berry-like in large clusters 44. _Aralia._
=j.= Fruit small berries, with 3 flattened seeds, in
clusters in the axils of the leaves, which are
decidedly 3-ribbed from the base 21. _Hovenia._
=j.= Fruit small drupes, with 1 seed, either solitary or in
pairs in the axils of the leaves. (=k.=)
=k.= Plant without prickles; leaves decidedly oblique at
base 76. _Celtis._
=k.= Plant with prickles; leaves narrow, decidedly
3-ribbed, and 2-ranked on green twigs 22. _Zizyphus._
=l.= Fruit not very edible; leaves rough above, very hairy
below, on some of the twigs opposite 79. _Broussonetia._
=l.= Fruit edible; leaves not very hairy, never opposite 78. _Morus._
=m.= Leaves of 3 entire-edged leaflets; fruit a pea-like
pod 28. _Laburnum._
=m.= Leaves of 3 quite regularly serrate,
transparent-dotted leaflets 13. _Ptelea._
=m.= Leaves once or twice pinnate; the leaflets entire.
(=s.=)
=m.= Leaves once or twice pinnate; the leaflets with
margins more or less serrate or notched. (=n.=)
=n.= Leaves irregularly once to twice, in one case three
times, pinnate. (=r.=)
=n.= Leaves regularly once pinnate. (=o.=)
=o.= Leaves less than 1 ft. long, on a small, quite
prickly plant; fruit very small pods (1/4 in. long)
12. _Xanthoxylum._
=o.= Leaves less than 1 ft. long; leaflets 3 in. or less
long; fruit bright-colored, berry-like pomes in
clusters, persistent through the autumn; plant not
thorny; branches not heavy-tipped. 37. _Pyrus._
=o.= Leaves usually larger on the small tree or almost a
shrub; juice in most cases milky; branches
heavy-tipped 27. _Rhus._
=o.= Leaves 1-2 ft. long; leaflets 3 in. or more long;
fruit a bony nut with green fleshy coat; large trees.
(=q.=)
=o.= Leaves very large, 2 ft. or more long on the
rapid-growing branches; branches heavy-tipped; odor
of bruised leaves quite strong; leaflets 15 or more
in number; large trees; juice not milky. (=p.=)
=p.= Leaflets with 1-3 glandular notches at the base 17. _Ailanthus._
=p.= Leaflets entire at base, but very slightly serrate near
the tip 16. _Cedrela._
=q.= Coat of fruit more or less dehiscent into 4 valves;
nut smoothish; leaflets, except in one species, not
over 11 in number, usually 5-7 82. _Carya._
=q.= Coat of fruit not regularly dehiscent; nut, in the
wild species, rough-coated; leaflets, except in a
cultivated species, over 11 in number 81. _Juglans._
=r.= Leaves quite regularly twice odd-pinnate; leaflets
about 1 in. long; juice not milky; fruit rounded
berries in large clusters; plant not prickly;
branchlets not heavy-tipped 15. _Melia._
=r.= Leaves once to twice irregularly odd-pinnate; the
leaflets very irregularly and coarsely toothed; a
small, round-headed tree with bladdery pods 24. _Koelreuteria._
=r.= Leaves irregularly about twice odd-pinnate; the
leaflets lanceolate; quite a low plant with few
heavy-tipped branches; plant without prickles 27. _Rhus._
=r.= Leaves 2 (sometimes 3) times odd-pinnate; tree-stem
with prickles; small tree or shrub, with few branches
44. _Aralia._
=r.= Leaves once to twice abruptly pinnate; large tree with
slender-tipped branches, usually very thorny 34. _Gleditschia._
=s.= Leaves very large (2 ft. or more long), about twice
abruptly pinnate; leaflets broad and often 2 in.
long; branches blunt; no thorns 33. _Gymnocladus._
=s.= Leaves and leaflets much smaller, leaves quite
irregularly once or twice abruptly pinnate; branches
slender-tipped; large tree, usually very thorny
34. _Gleditschia._
=s.= Leaves twice abruptly pinnate; leaflets over 400 in
number, with midrib near the upper edge 35. _Albizzia._
=s.= Leaves regularly once pinnate, not over 2 ft. long.
(=t.=)
=t.= Leaves abruptly pinnate, not over 5 in. long; leaflets
8-12, small, mucronate-pointed 29. _Caragana._
=t.= Leaves odd-pinnate; shrub or small tree, with few,
heavy-tipped branches; no spines or prickles 27. _Rhus._
=t.= Leaves odd-pinnate; leaflets large (3-5 in. long), not
usually over 11 in number; round-topped tree 30. _Cladrastis._
=t.= Leaves odd-pinnate; leaflets less than 3 in. long,
frequently 11-21 in number; often with spines at the
bases of the leaves in the place of stipules
12. _Xanthoxylum_ or 31. _Robinia._
=u.= Leaves palmately compound. (=CC.=)
=u.= Leaves pinnately compound. (=BB.=)
=u.= Leaves simple, evergreen, sessile, in whorls around
the stem, which they completely cover (98a. _Araucaria._)
=u.= Leaves simple, opposite, evergreen, entire, over 2
in. long 61. _Osmanthus._
=u.= Leaves simple, opposite, evergreen, entire, under 1
in. long 73. _Buxus._
=u.= Leaves simple, deciduous. (=v.=)
=v.= Branches ending in thorns; small trees, or shrubs.
(=AA.=)
=v.= Plants not thorny. (=w.=)
=w.= Leaves palmately lobed (one variety, rarely
cultivated, lacks lobes, but is heart-shaped with a
serrate margin), the lobes over 3 in number, or with
notches or serrations; fruit dry, winged 25. _Acer._
=w.= Lower leaves palmately 3-lobed, and heart-shaped at
base, upper ones ovate, all with entire margin; fruit
with juicy pulp covering the 4 seeds 66. _Clerodendron._
=w.= Leaves palmately lobed; fruit small, one-seeded,
berry-like drupes in large clusters, with flattened
stones, or large rounded clusters of flowers without
stamens or pistils; shrubs rather than trees 47. _Viburnum._
=w.= Leaves heart-shaped, entire or slightly angulated;
not lobed. (=DD.=)
=w.= Leaves irregularly serrate, somewhat straight-veined;
fruit single-winged; large cultivated tree 60. _Fraxinus._
=w.= Leaves neither heart-shaped nor lobed; small trees,
almost shrubs. (=x.=)
=x.= Leaves entire. (=z.=)
=x.= Leaves serrate or dentate, ovate or oval. (=y.=)
=y.= Fruit rounded drupes in large clusters, with single
flattened stones 47. _Viburnum._
=y.= Fruit lobed pods, which burst open in the autumn;
branchlets somewhat 4-sided 19. _Euonymus._
=z.= Leaves small, lanceolate; flowers and fruit large and
beautiful 42. _Punica._
=z.= Leaves broad, thin, with curved parallel veins or ribs.
45. _Cornus._
=z.= Leaves large, broad, oval, without either curved or
straight parallel ribs 63. _Chionanthus._
=AA.= Leaves entire and covered on both sides with
silvery, peltate scales 72. _Shepherdia._
=AA.= Leaves ovate, small, minutely serrate 20. _Rhamnus._
=BB.= Leaves large, 18 in. or more long; leaflets 11 or
more, very finely serrated 14. _Phellodendron._
=BB.= Leaves smaller; leaflets entire or quite evenly
toothed, usually over 5 in number 60. _Fraxinus._
=BB.= Leaflets coarsely and quite irregularly toothed, 3-5
(rarely 7) in number 26. _Negundo._
=CC.= Leaflets slender-lanceolate, almost entire; shrub
or small tree, 5-10 ft. high 67. _Vitex._
=CC.= Leaflets broader and serrate; usually large trees.
23. _AEsculus._
=DD.= Leaves with radiating ribs. (=FF.=)
=DD.= Leaves with feather-veining. (=EE.=)
=EE.= Leaves 2-6 in. long; flowers small, in large,
dense, terminal clusters 62. _Syringa._
=EE.= Leaves 1-4 in. long; flowers in pairs 48. _Lonicera._
=FF.= Leaves large, 6 in. or more long; two almost hidden
buds, one above the other, in the axils of the leaves
on the rapid-growing branches; flowers large, purple,
blooming in early spring; fruit rounded pods 64. _Paulownia._
=FF.= Leaves large, 6 in. or more long; flowers large,
white, blooming in June; fruit long pods 65. _Catalpa._
=FF.= Leaves 2-4 in. long, with red stems 3. _Cercidiphyllum._
=GG.= Leaves scattered singly over the stem, not in
bundles or clusters. (=JJ.=)
=GG.= Leaves in large or small clusters. (=HH.=)
=HH.= Clusters in whorls of many leaves around the stem
like an umbrella 100. _Sciadopitys._
=HH.= Leaves clustered in bundles of 2-6 93. _Pinus._
=HH.= Leaves clustered in bundles of over 8. (=II.=)
=II.= Leaves deciduous, soft 97. _Larix._
=II.= Leaves evergreen, rigid 98. _Cedrus._
=JJ.= Leaves hardly evergreen; spray quite slender.
(=ZZ.=)
=JJ.= Leaves fully evergreen. (=KK.=)
=KK.= Leaves awl or scale shaped, and mainly appressed to
the stem. (=WW.=)
=KK.= Leaves linear or needle shaped, and decidedly
spreading from the stem, though sometimes with a
decurrent base. (=LL.=)
=LL.= Leaves narrowed to a distinct though short stem.
(=RR.=)
=LL.= Leaves sessile; if narrowed, not so abruptly as to
form a petiole. (=MM.=)
=MM.= Leaves opposite or whorled on the stem. (=PP.=)
=MM.= Leaves rather spirally arranged around the stem, not
just opposite. (=NN.=)
=NN.= Leaves linear to lanceolate, flattened, spreading
quite squarely from the stem. (=OO.=)
=NN.= Leaves not flattened but 4-sided, curved, gradually
enlarging from the tips to the bases, which are
decurrent, and on the young twigs completely cover the
stem; cones rounded; the scales not lapping 105. _Cryptomeria._
=OO.= Leaves about linear in form, of nearly the same
width throughout, and usually fastened to the
cylindrical stem by a distinct disk-like base; cones
erect; scales lapping. 96. _Abies._
=OO.= Leaves about 2 in. long and gradually widening from
the acute tips to the broad (1/8 in.) bases, which
are decurrent on the stem 99. _Cunninghamia._
=OO.= Leaves 1/2-1 in. long, sharp-pointed, very flat,
two-ranked, somewhat lanceolate in form; base
narrowed almost to a petiole 102. _Sequoia._
=PP.= Leaves not decurrent, usually in whorls of three
around the stem, sometimes opposite, acute-pointed;
fruit small (1/8 in.), rounded, dark-colored berries
106. _Juniperus._
=PP.= Leaves decurrent on the stem, less than 1/2 in. long.
(=QQ.=)
=QQ.= Fruit small, globular cones; the scales not lapping
104. _Chamaecyparis._
=QQ.= Fruit small, elongated cones of few, lapping scales
103. _Thuya._
=RR.= Leaves usually but little flattened, but jointed to a
short, brown petiole which is attached to a somewhat
grooved twig; cones pendent, of lapping scales 94. _Picea._
=RR.= Leaves decidedly flattened, not jointed, but narrowed
to a petiole which is usually green or greenish in
color. (=SS.=)
=SS.= Leaves rounded or obtuse at the tip, distinctly
two-ranked, usually less than 1 in. long; cones
oval, 1 in. or less long, of lapping scales 95. _Tsuga._
=SS.= Leaves acute at the tip; fruit (found only on a
portion of the plants, as the flowers are
dioecious) drupe-like, with a single nut-like seed.
(=TT.=)
=TT.= Leaves not two-ranked, over 2 in. long 108. _Podocarpus._
=TT.= Leaves quite regularly two-ranked. (=UU.=)
=UU.= Leaves marked by two longitudinal lines; bruised or
burned leaves with a very disagreeable odor (107a. _Torreya._)
=UU.= Leaves with the midrib forming a distinct ridge,
odor not disagreeable. (=VV.=)
=VV.= Leaves usually less than an inch long 107. _Taxus._
=VV.= Leaves usually more than an inch long (107b. _Cephalotaxus._)
=WW.= Spray decidedly two-ranked, fan-like. (=YY.=)
=WW.= Spray branching in an irregular way, not two-ranked. (=XX.=)
=XX.= Fruit a purplish berry; bark shreddy 106. _Juniperus._
=XX.= Fruit a cone of thick, pointed, not lapping scales
102. _Sequoia._
=YY.= Cones elongated, of lapping scales 103. _Thuya._
=YY.= Cones globular, of peltate, valvate
scales 104. _Chamaecyparis._
=ZZ.= Leaves very broad at base, half clasping the stem and
rapidly narrowed to an acute tip; hardly at all
spreading from the thread-like twigs; flowers pinkish,
in spike-like clusters 6. _Tamarix._
=ZZ.= Leaves more elongated, quite even in width, not
clasping the stem 101. _Taxodium._
[Footnote 1: Look on the elongated branches for the arrangement of the
leaves; they are too closely clustered on the short side shoots. See
page 18.]
=CLASS I. ANGIOSPERMAE.=
Plants with a pistil consisting of a closed ovary, which contains the
ovules and forms the fruit.
ORDER =I. MAGNOLIACEAE.= (MAGNOLIA FAMILY.)
Trees or shrubs, mainly of tropical regions, including, in our section,
the three following genera:
GENUS =1. MAGNOLIA.=
Trees and tall shrubs with alternate, thick, smooth, entire leaves with
deciduous stipules which form the bud-scales, and are attached entirely
around the stem, leaving a ridge, as in Liriodendron.
Flowers very large (3 to 10 in. in diameter), usually white, solitary.
Fruit a large cone from which the seeds, drupe-like, usually red, hang
out on long threads during the autumn.
* Blooming with or before the opening of the leaves. (=A.=)
=A.= Flowers entirely white 9, 10.
=A.= Flowers dark purple 11.
=A.= Flowers mixed purple and white. A large number of
hybrids from China and Japan.
* Blooming after the leaves expand. (=B.=)
=B.= Leaves evergreen, more than 8 in. long 1.
=B.= Leaves evergreen, not 6 in. long 2.
=B.= Leaves deciduous. (=C.=)
=C.= Leaves decidedly auriculate or cordate at the base. (=D.=)
=D.= Leaves very large (1 to 3 ft. long) 5.
=D.= Leaves smaller and much clustered at the tips of the
flowering branches 6.
=C.= Leaves not conspicuously cordate at base. (=E.=)
=E.= Leaves clustered at the tips of the flowering branches 7.
=E.= Leaves scattered along the branches. (=F.=)
=F.= Base of leaf abrupt 3, 4.
=F.= Base of leaf tapering. (=G.=)
=G.= Leaves quite large, about 1 ft. long; a very erect
growing tree 8.
=G.= Leaves smaller, medium thick, glossy above 2.
medium thin (5 to 10 in. long) 3.
[Illustration: M. grandiflora.]
1. =Magnolia grandiflora=, L. (LARGE-FLOWERED MAGNOLIA. SOUTHERN
EVERGREEN MAGNOLIA.) Leaves evergreen, thick, oval-oblong; upper surface
glossy, under surface somewhat rusty. Flowers large, 6 to 10 in. wide,
white, fragrant. In spring. Fruit oval, 3 to 4 in. long, ripe in
October. Seeds scarlet. Splendid evergreen tree (50 to 80 ft.) in the
Southern States; half hardy, and reduced to a shrub (10 to 20 ft.) when
cultivated in the Middle States.
[Illustration: M. glauca.]
2. =Magnolia glauca=, L. (SWEET-BAY. SWAMP-MAGNOLIA.) Leaves quite
thick, oblong-oval, obtuse, smooth and glossy above, white or rusty
pubescent beneath; evergreen in the Southern States. Leaf-buds silky.
Flowers globular, white, and very fragrant. June to August. Fruit about
1 1/2 in. long, ripe in autumn. Shrub, 4 to 20 ft. high, in the swamps of
the Atlantic States from Massachusetts southward. Slender tree, 15 to 30
ft. high, when cultivated in good damp soil.
[Illustration: M. acuminata.]
3. =Magnolia acuminata=, L. (CUCUMBER-TREE.) Leaves thin, green above,
paler beneath, oblong, usually pointed at both ends, 5 to 10 in. long.
Leaf-buds silky. Flowers pale yellowish-green, 3 in. wide, late in
spring. Fruit irregular-oblong (2 to 3 in. long), rose-colored when
ripe, with a few hard, bony, black seeds, coated with red pulp, ripe in
autumn. Large (50 to 90 ft.) noble forest tree, wild in western New York
and southward. Wood rather soft, yellowish-white, quite durable, and
extensively used for pump logs. Occasionally cultivated; fine for
avenues.
[Illustration: M. cordata.]
4. =Magnolia cordata=, Michx. (YELLOW CUCUMBER-TREE.) Leaves broadly
ovate or oval, rarely cordate at base, smooth above, white-downy
beneath, 4 to 6 in. long. Flowers lemon-yellow slightly streaked with
red. June. Fruit nearly 3 in. long, red when ripe in autumn. A rather
small, broad-headed tree (20 to 50 ft.), wild in the Southern States,
but hardy as far north as Boston; not often cultivated. Probably an
upland variety of the preceding.
[Illustration: M. macrophylla.]
5. =Magnolia macrophylla=, Michx. (GREAT-LEAVED MAGNOLIA.) Leaves very
large, sometimes 3 ft. long, crowded at the summit of the branches,
obovate-oblong, cordate at the narrowed base, glaucous-white beneath,
green above; twigs whitish pubescent. Flowers very large (12 in. broad),
white with a purple spot near the base; fragrant. Fruit cylindrical, 4
in. long, deep rose-colored when ripe in autumn. A medium-sized (30 to
40 ft.), spreading tree; wild from Kentucky south, hardy and cultivated
as far north as New York City.
[Illustration: M. Fraseri.]
6. =Magnolia Fraseri=, Walt. (EAR-LEAVED UMBRELLA-TREE.) Leaves crowded
at the ends of the flowering branches, obovate or spatulate, auriculate
at base, smooth (1 ft. long). Leaf-buds smooth. Flowers (6 in. wide)
white, slightly scented. April to May. Fruit 3 to 4 in. long,
rose-colored, ripe in autumn. Medium-sized, rather slender tree (30 to
50 ft.), with soft yellowish-white wood. Virginia and southward. Hardy
and extensively cultivated as far north as New York City.
[Illustration: M. umbrella.]
7. =Magnolia umbrella=, Lam. (UMBRELLA TREE.) Leaves clustered at the
ends of the branches, obovate-lanceolate, pointed at both ends, 1 to 2
ft. long; downy beneath when young, but soon becoming smooth. Flowers
white, 6 to 8 in. broad. May. Fruit oblong, 4 to 6 in. long, rather
rose-colored when ripe in autumn. A small, rather straggling tree, 20 to
40 ft. high; common in the Southern States, and wild as far north as New
York State; cultivated throughout.
[Illustration: M. hypoleuca.]
8. =Magnolia hypoleuca=, S. & Z. (JAPAN MAGNOLIA.) Leaves large (1 ft.
long), somewhat purple-tinted above, white and glaucous beneath. Midrib
and leafstalk often red. Flowers cream-white, fragrant, appearing after
the leaves in June. Twigs stout and polished. A medium-sized, very
erectly growing tree; from Japan.
[Illustration: M. conspicua.]
9. =Magnolia conspicua,= Salisb. (YULAN OR CHINESE WHITE MAGNOLIA.)
Leaves deciduous, obovate, abruptly acuminate, pubescent when young.
Flowers large (4 in.), cream-white, very fragrant, appearing very early
(May), before any of the leaves. Fruit rarely formed, with few (1 to 3,
rarely more) seeds to a cone. Bark dark brown on the young branches;
terminal winter buds over 1/2 in. long. Small tree (10 to 30 ft.) with
spreading habit and stout branches; very extensively cultivated for its
abundant early bloom; from China.
[Illustration: M. Kobus.]
10. =Magnolia Kobus.= (THURBER'S JAPAN MAGNOLIA.) Leaves similar to the
preceding, but smaller. Flowers also similar, but pure white. Fruit
abundantly formed, with several (2 to 12) seeds to the cone. Bark green
on the young growth; terminal winter-buds under 1/2 in. long. Small tree
(15 to 40 ft.) with erect habit and slender branches. A beautiful tree
of recent introduction from Japan.
[Illustration: M. purpurea.]
11. =Magnolia purpurea=, Sims. (PURPLE JAPAN MAGNOLIA.) Leaves obovate,
pointed at both ends, dark green. Flowers erect, of 3 sepals and 6
obovate, purple petals; blooming about as the leaves expand. A low tree,
or usually merely a shrub, from Japan; often cultivated.
Besides the Magnolias here given, there are quite a number of varieties
and hybrids in cultivation, from China and Japan, most of them blooming
before the leaves expand in spring.
GENUS 2. =LIRIODENDRON.=
Trees with alternate, deciduous, smooth, stipulate, 4-lobed leaves, the
stipules large, attached entirely around the stem, and leaving a ridge
when they drop off, as in the genus Magnolia. Flowers tulip-shaped,
large (3 in.), greenish-yellow. May to June. Fruit a pointed cone, 3 in.
long, hanging on the tree till autumn.
[Illustration: L. tulipifera.]
=Liriodendron tulipifera=, L. (TULIP-TREE.) Leaves large, smooth on
both sides, somewhat 3-lobed, the end one seemingly cut off, leaving a
shallow notch; stipules light-colored, large, oblong, attached all
around the stem, often remaining on through half the season. A very
large (80 to 150 ft. high), beautiful, rapidly growing tree, with soft,
straight-grained, greenish wood, of great use for inside work. Southern
New England and southward. Especially abundant and large in the Western
States. Also cultivated.
GENUS 3. CERCIDIPHYLLUM.
Shrubs or trees with opposite, rarely subalternate, simple, deciduous
leaves. Fruit short-stemmed, with divergent pods, 2-4 in number,
splitting open on the outer edges; each one-celled, with one row of
lapping, pendulous seeds with membranous wings.
[Illustration: C. Japonicum.]
=Cercidiphyllum Japonicum.= (KATSURA-TREE.) Leaves broadly heart-shaped,
palmately veined with 5-7 ribs, and with an apparently entire margin,
dark green above, somewhat glaucous beneath. Under a magnifying glass
the margin will be found to have pellucid crenulations. Leafstalk dark
red and jointed above the base, the veins somewhat red-tinted. A
beautiful, upright tree with birch-like, dotted, brown bark; of recent
introduction from Japan, and probably completely hardy throughout the
region.
ORDER =II. BIXINEAE.=
A rather small order of mostly tropical trees or shrubs, with alternate,
simple leaves.
GENUS 4. =IDESIA.=
Large trees with terminal and axillary panicles of very small flowers
and berries.
[Illustration: I. polycarpa.]
=Idesia polycarpa=, Hook. Leaves large, heart-shaped, serrate, palmately
veined with 5 ribs; leafstalk very long, red, with two glands near the
base; twigs also glandular; berries very small (1/4 inch), with many
seeds. A large tree recently introduced from Japan, which may prove
hardy from Pennsylvania south, but is killed by the climate of
Massachusetts.
ORDER =III. ANONACEAE.=
(CUSTARD-APPLE FAMILY.)
An order of tropical trees and shrubs except the following genus:
GENUS =5. ASIMINA.=
Small trees or shrubs with simple, deciduous, alternate, entire,
pinnately-veined leaves. Flowers large, dull purplish, solitary in the
axils of last year's leaves. Fruit a large, oblong, several-seeded,
pulpy berry.
[Illustration: A. triloba.]
=Asimina triloba=, Dunal. (COMMON PAPAW.) Leaves large (8 to 12 in.
long), oblong-obovate, acuminate, thin, lapping over each other in such
a manner as to give the plant a peculiar imbricated appearance. Flowers
1 in. broad, appearing before the leaves. Fruit 3 in. long, 1 1/2 in.
thick, yellowish, fragrant, about 8-seeded, ripe in the autumn. Small
(10 to 20 ft. high), beautiful tree with dark-brown twigs. All parts
have a rank, fetid smell. Wild in New York and southward along streams;
cultivated.
ORDER =IV. TAMARISCINEAE.=
A small order, consisting mostly of shrubs (from the Old World) with
minute leaves.
GENUS =6. TAMARIX.=
Leaves simple, very small, alternate, clasping; old ones almost
transparent at the apex. Flowers in spike-like panicles, small, red, or
pink, rarely white.
[Illustration: T. Gallica.]
=Tamarix Gallica=, L. (FRENCH TAMARISK.) Leaves very small, acute; spray
very slender, abundant. A sub-evergreen shrub or small tree, 5 to 20 ft.
high; with very small pinkish flowers, in spike-like clusters, blooming
from May to October. A very beautiful and strange-looking plant, which,
rather sheltered by other trees, can be successfully grown throughout.
ORDER =V. TERNSTROEMIACEAE.=
(TEA OR CAMELLIA FAMILY.)
An order of showy-flowered trees and shrubs of tropical and subtropical
regions, here represented by the following genera:
GENUS =7. STUARTIA.=
Shrubs or low trees with alternate, simple, exstipulate, ovate,
serrulate leaves, soft downy beneath. Flowers large (2 in.), white to
cream-color, solitary and nearly sessile in the axils of the leaves;
blooming in early summer. Fruit a 5-celled capsule with few seeds; ripe
in autumn.
[Illustration: S. pentagyna.]
1. =Stuartia pentagyna=, L'Her. (STUARTIA.) Leaves thick, ovate,
acuminate, acute at base, obscurely mucronate, serrate, finely
pubescent, 3 to 4 in. long, one half as wide. Flowers whitish
cream-colored, one petal much the smallest; stamens of the same color.
Pod 5-angled.
Handsome shrub or small tree (10 to 15 ft.), wild south in the
mountains, and hardy and cultivated as far north as New York City
without protection. In Massachusetts it needs some sheltered position.
[Illustration: S. Virginica.]
2. =Stuartia Virginica=, Cav. (VIRGINIA STUARTIA.) Leaves
elliptic-ovate, acuminate at both ends, 2 in. long, 1 in. wide, thin,
serrate, silky pubescent beneath. Flowers white with purple filaments
and blue anthers. Pod globular and blunt; ripe in October. A beautiful
shrub rather than tree (8 to 12 ft.), wild in Virginia and south; hardy
as far north as Washington.
GENUS =8. GORDONIA.=
Shrubs or small trees with alternate, simple, feather-veined leaves.
Flowers large (3 to 4 in. wide), white, showy, solitary in the axils of
the leaves. Blooming in summer. Fruit a dry, dehiscent, conical-pointed,
5-celled capsule with 10 to 30 seeds, ripe in the autumn.
[Illustration: G. Lasianthus.]
1. =Gordonia Lasianthus=, L. (LOBLOLLY BAY.) Leaves thick, evergreen,
lanceolate-oblong, minutely serrate, nearly sessile, smooth and shining
on both sides. The large, solitary, sweet-scented, axillary flowers on
peduncles half as long as the leaves. A large tree (30 to 70 ft. high)
in the south (wild in southern Virginia), and cultivated as far north as
central Pennsylvania, without protection; at St. Louis and Boston it
needs protection. Wood of a reddish color, light and brittle.
[Illustration: G. pubescens.]
2. =Gordonia pubescens=, L'Her. Leaves thin, deciduous, obovate-oblong,
sharply serrate, white beneath. Flowers nearly sessile. A small tree or
shrub of the south (30 ft. high in Georgia), hardy, and rarely
cultivated as far north as Philadelphia, or still farther north if
slightly sheltered.
ORDER =VI. MALVACEAE.= (MALLOW FAMILY.)
A large family, mainly of herbs, found in tropical and temperate
regions. One cultivated species, almost a tree, is included in this
work.
GENUS =9. HIBISCUS.=
Herbs or shrubs; one sometimes tree-like, with simple, deciduous,
alternate, stipulate, usually lobed leaves. Flowers large, showy,
5-parted (Hollyhock-shaped), in late summer. Fruit a 5-celled,
many-seeded pod, ripe in autumn.
[Illustration: H. Syriacus.]
=Hibiscus Syriacus=, L. (TREE HIBISCUS.) The only woody and sometimes
tree-like species; has ovate, wedge-shaped, 3-lobed, toothed leaves, and
large (3 in.) white, purple, red, or variegated flowers. Usually a
shrub, 6 to 15 ft. high, often cultivated throughout; introduced from
Syria.
ORDER =VII. STERCULIACEAE.=
Trees or shrubs (a few are herbs), with alternate leaves, and the
stamens united into a tube. A large order of tropical plants.
GENUS =10. STERCULIA.=
Leaves alternate, simple, usually lobed, ovaries more or less divided
into 5 carpels, each 2- to many-lobed; fruit when ripe forming a star of
5 distinct pods.
[Illustration: S. platanifolia.]
=Sterculia platanifolia=, L. (CHINESE PARASOL.) Leaves large, deciduous,
alternate, palmately 3- to 5-lobed, deeply heart-shaped at base, the
margin entire, the lobes acute; smooth or slightly hairy; leafstalk
about as long as the blade. Flowers green, in axillary panicles; fruit
star-shaped. A small, beautiful tree from China; probably not hardy
north of Washington.
ORDER =VIII. TILIACEAE.= (LINDEN FAMILY.)
An order, mainly of trees, abundant in the tropics; here represented by
a single genus:
GENUS 11. =TILIA.=
Trees with alternate, deciduous, obliquely heart-shaped, serrate leaves,
about as broad as long. Leaves two-ranked on the stem. Flowers small,
cream-colored, fragrant, in clusters on a peculiar, oblong, leaf-like
bract. Fruit small (1/8 in.), globular, woody, in clusters from the same
bract. Wood white and soft; inner bark very fibrous and tough.
* Flowers with petal-like scales among the stamens; American
species. (=A.=)
=A.= Leaves very large, 6 to 8 in. 3.
=A.= Leaves medium, 4 to 6 in. 1.
=A.= Leaves small, 2 to 3 in. 2.
* Flowers with no petal-like scales among the stamens. 4.
[Illustration: T. Americana.]
1. =Tilia Americana=, L. (BASSWOOD. WHITEWOOD. LINDEN.) Leaves large, 4
to 6 in. long, green and smooth, or very nearly so, thickish. Fruit
ovoid, somewhat ribbed, 1/4 in. broad, greenish when ripe in October, on
a bract which is usually tapering to the base. Tall tree, 60 to 80 ft.
high, wild in rich woods and often cultivated.
[Illustration: T. pubescens.]
2. =Tilia pubescens=, Ait. (SMALL-LEAVED BASSWOOD.) Leaves smaller, 2 to
3 in. long, thinner and rather pubescent beneath. Fruit globose, 1/5
in. broad, on a bract usually quite rounded at base.
This is usually considered as a variety of the last-named species. It is
found from New York south and west.
[Illustration: T. heterophylla.]
3. =Tilia heterophylla=, Vent. (WHITE BASSWOOD.) Leaves large, often 8
in. broad, smooth and bright green above, silvery white and downy
beneath, with darker, purplish veins. A large tree; wild in
Pennsylvania, west and south, and often cultivated.
[Illustration: T. Europaea.]
4. =Tilia Europaea=, Mill. (EUROPEAN LINDEN.) Leaves twice as long as
the petioles, and smooth except a woolly tuft in the axils of the veins
beneath. Small and large leaved varieties are in cultivation. The
flowers have no petal-like scales among the stamens, while the American
species have. An ornamental tree with dense foliage; often cultivated
from Europe. The twigs are more numerous and more slender than those of
the American species. Nearly a score of named varieties are in
cultivation. Var. _laciniata_ has deeply cut and twisted leaves.
ORDER =IX. RUTACEAE.= (RUE FAMILY.)
Shrubs and trees, rarely herbs, in most cases with transparent-dotted,
heavy-scented foliage. A rather large order in warm climates.
GENUS =12. XANTHOXYLUM.=
Shrubs or trees with mostly odd-pinnate, alternate leaves. The stem and
often the leaflets prickly; flowers small, greenish or whitish; fruit
dry, thick pods, with 1 to 2 seeds.
[Illustration: X. Americanum.]
1. =Xanthoxylum Americanum=, Mill. (NORTHERN PRICKLY-ASH.
TOOTHACHE-TREE.) Leaves and flowers in sessile, axillary, umbellate
clusters; leaflets 5 to 9, ovate-oblong, downy when young. Flowers
appear before the leaves. Shrub, scarcely at all tree-like, with bark,
leaves, and pods very pungent and aromatic. Common north, and sometimes
cultivated.
[Illustration: X. Clava Hercules.]
2. =Xanthoxylum Clava Hercules=, L. (SOUTHERN PRICKLY-ASH.) Leaflets 7
to 17, ovate to ovate-oblong, oblique at base, shining above. Flowers
appear after the leaves. A small tree with very sharp prickles. Sandy
coast of Virginia and southward; occasionally cultivated in the north.
GENUS =13. PTELEA.=
Shrub with compound leaves of three leaflets, greenish-white flowers in
terminal cymes, and 2-seeded fruit with a broad-winged margin, somewhat
like the Elm, only larger.
[Illustration: P. trifoliata.]
=Ptelea trifoliata=, L. (HOP-TREE. SHRUBBY TREFOIL.) Leaflets ovate,
pointed, downy when young. Flowers with a disagreeable odor; fruit
bitter, somewhat like hops. A tall shrub, often, when cultivated,
trimmed into a tree-like form. Wild, in rocky places, in southern New
York and southward.
GENUS =14. PHELLODENDRON.=
Leaves opposite, odd-pinnate. Flowers dioecious; so only a portion of
the trees bear the small, odoriferous, 5-seeded, drupe-like fruit.
[Illustration: P. Amurense.]
=Phellodendron Amurense.= (CHINESE CORK-TREE.) Leaves opposite,
odd-pinnate, 1 1/2 to 3 ft. long; leaflets 9 to many, lanceolate,
sharply serrate, long-acuminate. Flowers inconspicuous, dioecious, in
loose-spreading clusters at the ends of the branches. The pistillate
flowers form small, black, pea-shaped fruit, in loose, grape-like
clusters, thickly covered with glands containing a bitter, aromatic oil,
and remaining on the tree in winter. Medium-sized tree (20 to 40 ft.),
with Ailanthus-like leaves which turn bright red in autumn, and remain
long on the tree. Hardy as far north as central Massachusetts.
ORDER =X. MELIACEAE.= (MELIA FAMILY.)
Tropical trees, including the Mahogany; represented in the south by the
following:
GENUS =15. MELIA.=
Trees with alternate, bipinnate leaves. The flowers are conspicuous and
beautiful, in large panicles, in the spring. Fruit in large clusters of
berry-like drupes, with a 5-celled stone.
[Illustration: M. Azedarach.]
=Melia Azedarach, L.= (CHINA-TREE. PRIDE OF INDIA.) Leaves very large,
doubly pinnate, with many obliquely lance-ovate, acuminate, smooth,
serrate leaflets. Flowers small, lilac-colored, deliciously fragrant, in
large axillary clusters. Fruit globular, as large as cherries, yellow
when ripe in autumn; hanging on through the winter. A rather small (20
to 40 ft. high), rapidly growing, round-headed, popular shade-tree in
the south, and hardy as far north as Virginia. Introduced from Persia.
GENUS =16. CEDRELA.=
Leaves large, alternate, deciduous, odd-pinnate. Flowers with separate
petals, fragrant, white, in large clusters. Fruit 5-celled dehiscent
pods, with many pendulous, winged seeds.
[Illustration: C. Sinensis.]
=Cedrela Sinensis.= (CHINESE CEDRELA.) Leaves large, odd-pinnate,
alternate, appearing much like those of the Ailanthus, but with slight
serrations near the tips of the leaflets, and no glands near the base.
Bruised leaves with a strong odor; footstalk and stout-tipped branches
with glands. Large tree, seemingly hardy in New Jersey, but dies to the
ground in winter in Massachusetts. Recently introduced from China.
ORDER =XI. SIMARUBACEAE.= (QUASSIA FAMILY.)
Eastern trees and shrubs, here represented by a single tree:
GENUS =17. AILANTHUS.=
Large trees to shrubs, with alternate, odd-pinnate leaves. Flowers
small, greenish, in large terminal panicles. Fruit broadly winged, like
the Ash, but with the seed in the center.
[Illustration: A. glandulosus.]
=Ailanthus glandulosus=, Desf. (TREE OF HEAVEN.) Leaves very large, 2 to
5 ft. long on the younger growths; leaflets obliquely lanceolate,
coarsely toothed at the base, with a gland on the lower side at the
point of each tooth; point of leaflets entire. Young twigs thick, rusty
brown; buds very small in the axils. Only some of the trees have fruit,
as some have only staminate flowers. The staminate flowers are very
ill-scented. A rapid-growing tree, with useful hard wood; cultivated and
naturalized; hardy throughout. See page 10.
ORDER =XII. ILICINEAE.= (HOLLY FAMILY.)
A small order of trees and shrubs, including for our purpose only one
genus:
GENUS =18. ILEX.=
Trees or shrubs with simple, alternate, thick, mostly evergreen leaves.
Flowers rather inconspicuous, mostly in clusters. Fruit berry-like,
small (1/4 to 1/2 in.), with 4 to 6 nutlets; hanging on the plants late
in the autumn or through the winter.
* Leaves evergreen. (=A.=)
=A.= Leaves with spiny teeth 1.
=A.= No spiny teeth 2.
* Leaves deciduous 3.
[Illustration: I. opaca.]
1. =Ilex opaca=, Ait. (AMERICAN HOLLY.) Leaves evergreen, oval, acute,
thick, smooth, with scattered spiny teeth. Flowers white; May. The
bright-red berries, found only on some of the trees, remain on through
the greater part of the winter. Small tree, 15 to 40 ft. high, with very
hard white wood; wild in southern New England and southward. A beautiful
broad-leaved, evergreen tree which should be more extensively
cultivated. North of latitude 41 deg. it needs a protected situation.
[Illustration: I. Dahoon.]
2. =Ilex Dahoon=, Walt. (DAHOON HOLLY.) Leaves 2 to 3 in. long,
evergreen, oblanceolate or oblong, entire or sharply serrate toward the
apex, with revolute margins, not spiny. Young branches and lower
surface of the leaves, especially on the midrib, pubescent. Small tree,
10 to 30 ft. high; Virginia and south, with very hard, white,
close-grained wood. Rarely cultivated.
[Illustration: I. monticola.]
3. =Ilex monticola=, Gray. Leaves deciduous, ovate to lance-oblong, 3 to
5 in. long, taper-pointed, thin, smooth, sharply serrate. Fruit red, on
short stems, with the seeds many-ribbed on the back. Usually a shrub but
sometimes tree-like; damp woods in the Catskills and in the Alleghany
Mountains.
ORDER =XIII. CELASTRACEAE.=
Shrubs with simple leaves and small, regular flowers, forming a fruit
with ariled seeds.
GENUS =19. EUONYMUS.=
Shrubs somewhat tree-like, with 4-sided branchlets, opposite, serrate
leaves, and loose cymes of angular fruit which bursts open in the
autumn.
[Illustration: E. atropurpureus.]
1. =Euonymus atropurpureus=, Jacq. (BURNING-BUSH. WAHOO.) Leaves
petioled, oval-oblong, pointed; parts of the dark-purple flowers
commonly in fours; pods smooth, deeply lobed, when ripe, cinnamon in
color and very ornamental. Tall shrub, 6 to 20 ft. high; wild in
Wisconsin to New York, and southward; often cultivated.
[Illustration: E. Europaeus.]
2. =Euonymus Europaeus=, L. (EUROPEAN SPINDLE-TREE OR BURNING-BUSH.)
Leaves oblong-lanceolate, serrate, smooth; flowers and fruit commonly in
threes on compressed stems; fruit usually 4-lobed, the lobes acute;
flowers greenish-white; May; fruit abundant, scarlet, ripe in
September. Generally a shrub, though sometimes tall enough (4 to 20
ft.) and trimmed so as to appear tree-like; twigs smooth, green or
reddish-green. Extensively cultivated; from Europe.
ORDER =XIV. RHAMNACEAE.=
(BUCKTHORN FAMILY.)
An order mainly of shrubs, but including in the north-eastern United
States two or three small trees.
GENUS =20. RHAMNUS.=
Shrubs or small trees with deciduous (rarely evergreen), usually
alternate (rarely opposite), pinnately veined leaves. Flowers small,
4-parted, inconspicuous, in clusters in the axils of the leaves. Fruit
berry-like, with 2 to 4 seed-like nuts.
* Branches terminating in thorns 1.
* Plant without thorns. (=A.=)
=A.= Leaves deciduous 2.
=A.= Leaves evergreen 3.
[Illustration: R. cathartica.]
1. =Rhamnus cathartica, L.= (COMMON BUCKTHORN.) Leaves ovate, minutely
serrate, alternate or many of them opposite; branchlets terminating in
thorns. Flowers greenish. Fruit globular, 1/3 in. in diameter, black
with a green juice, and 3 or 4 seeds; ripe in September. A shrub or
small tree, 10 to 15 ft. high, from Europe; cultivated for hedges, and
found wild in a few places, where it forms a small tree.
[Illustration: R. Caroliniana.]
2. Rhamnus Caroliniana, Walt. (CAROLINA BUCKTHORN.) Leaves 3 to 5 in.
long, alternate, oblong, wavy and obscurely serrulate, nearly smooth, on
slender pubescent petioles. Flowers greenish, 5-parted, solitary or in
umbellate clusters in the axils. Fruit berry-like, globular, the size of
peas, 3-seeded, black when ripe in September. A thornless shrub or small
tree, 5 to 20 ft. high. New Jersey, south and west. Usually a shrub
except in the Southern States.
[Illustration: R. Californicus.]
3. =Rhamnus Californicus=, Esch. (CALIFORNIA BUCKTHORN.) Leaves
evergreen, oval-oblong to elliptical, 1 to 4 in. long, rather obtuse,
sometimes acute, generally rounded at base, serrulate or entire. Fruit
blackish purple, with thin pulp, 1/4 in., 2- to 3-seeded. A spreading
shrub, 5 to 18 ft. high, without thorns; from California.
GENUS =21. HOVENIA.=
Leaves alternate, deciduous, simple, oblique at base. Fruit an obscurely
3-lobed, 3-celled, 3-seeded pod in dichotomous clusters, both axillary
and terminal.
[Illustration: H. dulcis]
=Hovenia dulcis=, Thunb. Leaves long-petioled, more or less ovate to
cordate, serrate, palmately 3-ribbed, much darker on the upper surface;
both sides slightly roughened with scattered hairs. Fruit sweet, edible,
in clusters in the axils of the leaves; seeds lens-shaped, with a ridge
on the inner side. Flowers white; in July. A large, broad-topped tree,
introduced from Japan. Hardy at Washington, but dies to the ground in
the Arnold Arboretum, Massachusetts.
GENUS =22. ZIZYPHUS.=
Leaves simple, alternate, deciduous, 3-ribbed. Flowers axillary,
5-petaled. Fruit fleshy, drupe-like, containing a 1- to 2-celled nut.
[Illustration: Z. vulgaris.]
=Zizyphus vulgaris=, Lam. (JUJUBE.) Leaves ovate-lanceolate, obtuse,
serrate, smooth, and glossy green on both sides, upper side quite dark;
slightly hairy beneath on the veins; prickles twin, one recurved,
sometimes none. New growth of the year green, and resembling a
once-pinnate compound leaf and usually dropping off in the autumn like
one. Leaves 10 to 20 on a twig, 2-ranked; flowers and drupes nearly
sessile in the axils; fruit small (1/4 in.), blood-red when ripe. A small
tree (10 to 30 ft. high), of recent introduction from Syria; hardy at
Philadelphia, but needing some protection at the Arnold Arboretum,
Massachusetts.
ORDER =XV. SAPINDACEAE.= (SOAPBERRY FAMILY.)
A large order represented in all countries, and so varied in its
characteristics as to form several sub-orders.
GENUS =23. AESCULUS.=
Deciduous trees or sometimes shrubs, with opposite, palmately compound
leaves with serrated, straight-veined leaflets. Flowers usually
conspicuous in dense terminal panicles. Fruit large, leathery-coated,
often rough, with one or few large Chestnut-like but bitter seeds. Fruit
large in midsummer, hanging on the tree until frost.
* Fruit prickly. (=A.=)
=A.= Leaflets usually 7; flowers widely spreading 1.
=A.= Leaflets 5-7, red-spotted and rough; flowers rosy red
_AEsculus rubicunda_ (1).
=A.= Leaflets usually 5; flowers not much spreading 2.
* Fruit smooth or nearly so. (=B.=)
=B.= Flowers bright red 3.
=B.= Flowers yellow, purplish or pinkish 4.
=B.= Flowers white, in long, slender, erect clusters 5.
[Illustration: AE. Hippocastanum.]
1. =AEsculus Hippocastanum.= (COMMON HORSE-CHESTNUT.) Leaves of 7
obovate, abruptly pointed, serrated leaflets. Flowers very showy in
large clusters, with 5 white, purple and yellow spotted, broadly
spreading petals. A variety with double flowers is in cultivation. May
or June. Fruit large, covered with prickles. Seeds large,
chestnut-colored. Tree of large size, with brown twigs; cultivated
everywhere; from Asia.
[Illustration: AE. rubicunda.]
_AEsculus rubicunda_ (Red-flowering Horse-chestnut) is frequent in
cultivation; leaflets 5 to 7, red-spotted and rough; flowers rosy red.
It is probably a hybrid between the common Horse-chestnut and one of the
Buckeyes.
[Illustration: AE glabra.]
2. =AEsculus glabra=, Willd. (OHIO BUCKEYE.) Leaves with 5 oval-oblong,
acuminate, serrate, smooth leaflets. Flowers not showy, yellowish-white,
with 4 somewhat irregular, slightly spreading petals. June. Fruit small,
1 in. in diameter, covered with prickles, at least when young; ripe in
autumn. Small to large tree, wild in the basin of the Ohio River, along
river-banks. Sometimes cultivated.
[Illustration: AE. Pavia.]
3. =AEsculus Pavia=, L. (RED BUCKEYE.) Leaves of 5 to 7
oblong-lanceolate, finely serrate, generally smooth leaflets, of a
shining green color, with purple veins and petioles. Flowers (corolla
and calyx) bright red, with included stamens; corolla of 4 petals, not
spreading; calyx tubular. Fruit smooth, oblong-obovate, 1 in. long.
Small tree or shrub, 10 to 20 ft. high, with purple twigs. Virginia west
and south, and occasionally cultivated throughout.
[Illustration: AE. flava.]
4. =AEsculus flava=, Ait. (SWEET BUCKEYE.) Leaves with 5 to 7 serrulate,
elliptical, acuminate leaflets, usually smooth, sometimes minutely
pubescent beneath; the pubescent petiole flattish toward the base.
Flowers yellow, not spreading. Spring. Fruit globose, uneven but not
prickly, 2 in. in diameter. Seeds large (1 in.), 1 or 2 in number,
mahogany-colored; ripe in autumn. Often a large tree, sometimes only a
shrub, 6 to 70 ft. high, in rich woods; Virginia to Indiana, and
southward. Cultivated occasionally throughout.
Var. _purpurascens_ of this species has flesh-colored or dull-purple
flowers, and leaflets quite downy beneath.
[Illustration: AE. macrostachya.]
5. AEsculus macrostachya, Mx. (LONG-RACEMED BUCKEYE.) Leaflets 5 to 7,
ovate, acuminate, serrate, velvety with hairs beneath. Flowers white, in
long, slender, erect clusters; July; petals 4, spreading; stamens very
long. A beautiful, widely spreading shrub. 5 to 18 ft. high; from the
Southern States; often cultivated. Probably hardy throughout.
GENUS =24. KOELREUTERIA.=
A small tree with alternate, once to twice irregularly pinnate leaves
with many coarsely toothed leaflets. Flowers conspicuous, yellow, in
terminal panicles. In summer. Fruit rounded, bladdery, 3-celled,
few-seeded pods; ripe in autumn.
[Illustration: K. paniculata.]
=Koelreuteria paniculata=, Laxm. Leaflets thin and very irregularly
toothed. Clusters 6 to 12 in. long, of many irregular flowers, 1/2 in.
wide; through the summer. Fruit an ovate, bladdery capsule, ripening in
autumn. A fine, small, round-headed tree, 20 to 40 ft. high; from China.
Probably hardy throughout.
GENUS =25. ACER.=
Trees, or rarely shrubs, with simple, opposite, and almost always
palmately lobed leaves, which, in our species, are always deciduous.
Flowers small and usually dull-colored, in clusters. Fruit double-winged
and 2-seeded, in some species hanging on the tree till the leaves have
fallen; in others dropping off early in the spring. The species differ
much in the spreading of the wings of the fruit. Wood light-colored and
medium hard; bark rather smoothish, but in large trees with longitudinal
cracks.
* Leaves slightly or not lobed 13.
* Leaves about 3-lobed (rarely 5-lobed); shrubs or small trees.
(=A.=)
=A.= Leaves serrate 1, 2.
=A.= Leaves somewhat sinuate, not at all serrate; juice milky. 10.
* Leaves 5-, rarely 3-lobed. (=B.=)
=B.= The lobes acute, irregularly but quite fully serrate;
juice not milky. (=C.=)
=C.= The fruit in corymbs, dropping early; American
species. (=D.=)
=D.= Leaf-notches somewhat rounded; tree large; limbs
drooping on old trees 3.
=D.= Leaf-notches acute; tree small 4.
=C.= Fruit in hanging racemes, remaining on the tree till
autumn; leaves thickish 5.
=B.= The lobes acute; sparingly or not at all serrate. (=E.=)
=E.= Juice not milky 6.
=E.= Juice milky at the bases of the leaves 8, 9.
=B.= The lobes obtuse and sinuate 10.
* Leaves 5- to 7-lobed. (=F.=)
=F.= Lobes fully serrate 11.
=F.= Lobes sparingly serrate. (=G.=)
=G.= Juice milky 8, 9.
=G.= Juice not milky; leaves 8 to 10 in. broad 7.
=F.= Lobes somewhat sinuate, not serrate; juice milky 10.
* Leaves with 7 or more lobes 11, 12.
[Illustration: A. spicatum.]
1. =Acer spicatum=, Lam. (MOUNTAIN MAPLE.) Leaves with 3 (rarely 5)
coarsely serrated, taper-pointed lobes, with slightly cordate base;
downy beneath. Flowers greenish-yellow, in erect, slender racemes or
panicles, blooming in June. Wings of the small fruit at about a right
angle. Small tree, 6 to 10 ft. high, or usually a shrub, with brown
twigs. Native; growing in moist woods; rarely cultivated.
[Illustration: A. Pennsylvanicum.]
2. =Acer Pennsylvanicum=, L. (STRIPED MAPLE.) Leaves large, thin,
3-lobed at the end, cordate at base, finely and sharply doubly serrate.
Flowers greenish, in drooping, elongated, loose racemes appearing after
the leaves in spring. Fruit with large diverging wings. A small, slender
tree, with light green bark striped with dark red. Wild throughout and
cultivated.
[Illustration: A. dasycarpum.]
3. =Acer dasycarpum=, Ehrh. (SILVER OR WHITE MAPLE.) Leaves large,
truncated at base, 5-lobed, with blunt notches, the lobes irregularly
serrated and notched, silvery white, and, when young, downy beneath.
Flowers light yellowish-purple, preceding the leaves, in crowded umbels
along the branches. Wings of fruit large and forming about a right
angle; ripe early in June. A rather large, rapidly growing, and usually
somewhat weeping tree, with soft white wood. Special cut-leaved and
weeping varieties are sold at the nurseries. Wild along river-banks, and
extensively cultivated in the streets of cities.
[Illustration: A. rubrum.]
4. =Acer rubrum=, 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.
[Illustration: A. Pseudoplatanus.]
5. =Acer Pseudoplatanus=, 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.
[Illustration: A. saccharinum.]
6. =Acer saccharinum=, 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.
[Illustration: A. macrophyllum.]
7. =Acer macrophyllum=, 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 deg. N. latitude.
[Illustration: A. platanoides.]
8. =Acer platanoides=, 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.
[Illustration: A. Laetum.]
9. =Acer Laetum.= (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.
[Illustration: A. campestre.]
10. =Acer campestre=, 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.
[Illustration: A. palmatum.]
11. =Acer palmatum=, 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.
[Illustration: A. circinatum.]
12. =Acer circinatum=, 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.
[Illustration: A. Tartaricum.]
13. =Acer Tartaricum=, 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. NEGUNDO.=
Leaves pinnate, of 3 to 5 leaflets. Flowers rather inconspicuous. Fruit
a two-winged key as in Acer, in drooping racemes.
[Illustration: N. aceroides.]
=Negundo aceroides=, 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. ANACARDIACEAE.=
(CASHEW FAMILY.)
Trees and shrubs, mainly of the tropical regions, here represented by
only one genus:
GENUS =27. RHUS.=
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.
[Illustration: R. typhina.]
1. =Rhus typhina=, 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.
[Illustration: R. glabra.]
2. =Rhus glabra=, 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.
[Illustration: R. laciniata.]
Var. _laciniata_ is frequently planted for ornament. It has very
irregularly twice-pinnate leaves drooping gracefully from the branches.
[Illustration: R. copallina.]
3. =Rhus copallina=, 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.
[Illustration: R. venenata.]
4. =Rhus venenata=, 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.
[Illustration: R. Osbeckii.]
5. =Rhus Osbeckii=, 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.
[Illustration: R. Cotinus.]
6. =Rhus Cotinus=, 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.
[Illustration: R. cotinoides.]
7. =Rhus cotinoides=, 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. LEGUMINOSAE.= (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. LABURNUM.=
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.
[Illustration: L. vulgare.]
=Laburnum vulgare.= (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. CARAGANA.=
Leaves alternate, deciduous, abruptly once-pinnate; leaflets mucronate;
stipules usually spinescent. Flowers pea-flower-shaped, mostly yellow.
Trees or shrubs of Asia.
[Illustration: C. arborescens.]
=Caragana arborescens=, 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. CLADRASTIS.=
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.
[Illustration: C. tinctoria.]
=Cladrastis tinctoria=, 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. ROBINIA.=
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.
[Illustration: R. Pseudacacia.]
1. =Robinia Pseudacacia=, 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.
[Illustration: R. viscosa.]
2. =Robinia viscosa=, 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. =Robinia hispida=, 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. CERCIS.=
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.
[Illustration: C. Canadensis.]
1. =Cercis Canadensis=, 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. =Cercis siliquastrum= (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. GYMNOCLADUS.=
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.
[Illustration: G. Canadensis.]
=Gymnocladus Canadensis=, Lam. (KENTUCKY COFFEE-TREE.) Leaves 2 to 3 ft.
long, often with the lower pinnae 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 1/2 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. GLEDITSCHIA.=
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.
[Illustration: G. triacanthos.]
1. =Gleditschia triacanthos=, L. (HONEY-LOCUST.) Leaflets
lanceolate-oblong, somewhat serrate. Pods linear, 1 to 1 1/2 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_).
[Illustration: G. aquatica.]
2. =Gleditschia aquatica=, 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.
[Illustration: G. sinensis.]
3. =Gleditschia sinensis=, 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. ALBIZZIA.=
Trees or shrubs with abruptly pinnate leaves. Fruit a broad-linear
straight pod.
[Illustration: A. julibrissin.]
=Albizzia julibrissin=, 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 (pinnae) of the leaf. The pinnae increase in length and number
of leaflets to the end of the leaf.
ORDER =XVIII. ROSACEAE.= (ROSE FAMILY.)
A large and very useful order of trees, shrubs, and herbs of temperate
regions.
GENUS =36. PRUNUS.=
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, 1/2-1 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.
[Illustration: P. Persica.]
1. =Prunus Persica=, 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. _laevis_
(Nectarine) has smooth-skinned fruit.
[Illustration: P. Americana.]
2. =Prunus Americana=, 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, 1/2 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.
[Illustration: P. Alleghaniensis.]
3. =Prunus Alleghaniensis=, 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
1/2 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.
[Illustration: P. Chicasa.]
4. =Prunus Chicasa=, Michx. (CHICASAW PLUM.) Leaves long, narrow, almost
lanceolate, acute, finely serrate, thin. Flowers on short stalks. Fruit
globular, 1/2 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.
[Illustration: P. spinosa.]
5. =Prunus spinosa=, 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.
[Illustration: P. domestica.]
6. =Prunus domestica=, 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.
[Illustration: P. Pennsylvanica.]
7. =Prunus Pennsylvanica=, 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, 1/4 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.
[Illustration: P. avium.]
8. =Prunus avium=, 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.
[Illustration: P. Cerasus.]
9. =Prunus Cerasus=, 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.
[Illustration: P. serotina.]
10. =Prunus serotina=, 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.
[Illustration: P. Virginiana.]
11. =Prunus Virginiana=, 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.
[Illustration: P. Padus.]
12. =Prunus Padus=, 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 (1/2-1 in.), sour, much sunken at the stem end
and but little at the other (Crab-apples). (=E.=)
=E.= Leaves very narrow; fruit 1/2 in. 2.
=E.= Leaves broad; fruit 1 in. 3.
=D.= Fruit usually obovate, not sunken at the stem end (Pears). 4.
[Illustration: P. Malus.]
1. =Pyrus Malus=, 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.
[Illustration: P. angustifolia.]
2. =Pyrus angustifolia=, 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 (1/2 in.). Twigs
lead-colored and speckled. A small tree, 12 to 20 ft. high. Pennsylvania
and southward.
[Illustration: P. coronaria.]
3. =Pyrus coronaria=, L. (AMERICAN OR GARLAND CRAB-APPLE.) Leaves
simple, ovate, often rather heart-shaped, cut-serrate, often 3-lobed,
soon smooth. Flowers large (3/4 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.
[Illustration: P. communis.]
4. =Pyrus communis=, 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.
[Illustration: P. vulgaris.]
5. =Pyrus vulgaris.= (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.
[Illustration: P. pinnatifida.]
6. =Pyrus pinnatifida=, Ehrh. (OAK-LEAVED MOUNTAIN-ASH.) Leaves
pinnately cleft and often fully pinnate at base, hairy beneath. Pome
globose, 1/4 in., scarlet, ripe in autumn. A cultivated tree, 20 to 30
ft. high; from Europe.
[Illustration: P. Americana.]
7. =Pyrus Americana=, 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.
[Illustration: P. sambucifolia.]
8. =Pyrus sambucifolia=, 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.
[Illustration: P. aucuparia.]
9. =Pyrus aucuparia=, 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, 1/2 in. or more in diameter. Fruit also much
larger, sometimes nearly 1/2 in. in diameter. Beautiful tree, 20 to 30 ft.
high, often cultivated.
GENUS =38. CRATAEGUS.=
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.
[Illustration: C. coccinea.]
1. =Crataegus coccinea=, 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, 1/2 to 2/3 in., many in a corymb, on
glandular peduncles. May to June. Fruit scarlet, round or pear-shaped,
1/2 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.
[Illustration: C. Crus-galli.]
2. =Crataegus Crus-galli=, 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.
[Illustration: C. oxyacantha.]
3. =Crataegus oxyacantha.= (ENGLISH HAWTHORN.) Leaves obovate, smooth,
wedge-shaped at base, cut-lobed and toothed above. No glands. Flowers
medium-sized, 1/2 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.
[Illustration: C. apiifolia.]
4. =Crataegus apiifolia=, 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, 1/2 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.
[Illustration: C. spathulata.]
5. =Crataegus spathulata=, 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, 1/2 in., in large clusters. May. Fruit small, 1/4 in.,
bright red; ripe in October. A small tree, 12 to 25 ft. high; Virginia
and south.
[Illustration: C. cordata.]
6. =Crataegus cordata=, 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.
[Illustration: C. viridis.]
7. =Crataegus viridis=, 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, 1/4 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.
[Illustration: C. tomentosa.]
8. =Crataegus tomentosa=, 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 1/2 in. long, obovate to globose,
dull red. Shrub or tree, 10 to 30 ft. high, wild in western New York,
west and south.
[Illustration: C. punctata.]
9. =Crataegus punctata.= (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.
[Illustration: C. flava.]
10. =Crataegus flava=, 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 (3/4 in). May. Fruit usually pear-shaped, quite
large (3/4 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.