Small trees or shrubs with simple, deciduous, alternate, sharply serrate
leaves; cherry-blossom-like, white flowers, in racemes at the end of the
branches, before the leaves are fully expanded. Fruit a small apple-like
pome; seeds 10 or less, in separate cartilaginous-coated cells.
[Illustration: A. Canadensis.]
=Amelanchier Canadensis=, Torr. & Gray. (SHAD-BUSH. SERVICE-BERRY.) A
very variable species with many named varieties. The leaves, 1 to 3 1/2
in. long, vary from narrow-oblong to roundish or cordate; bracts and
stipules silky-ciliate. Flowers large, in drooping racemes, in early
spring, with petals from 2 to 5 times as long as wide. Fruit globular,
1/2 in. broad, purplish, sweet, edible; ripe in June. It varies from a
low shrub to a middle-sized tree, 5 to 30 ft. high.
ORDER =XIX. HAMAMELIDEAE.=
(WITCH-HAZEL FAMILY.)
A small family of trees and shrubs represented in most countries.
GENUS =40. HAMAMELIS.=
Tall shrubs, rarely tree-like, with alternate, straight-veined,
2-ranked, oval, wavy-margined leaves. Flowers conspicuous, yellow,
4-parted; blooming in the autumn while the leaves are dropping, and
continuing in bloom through part of the winter. Fruit rounded capsules
which do not ripen till the next summer.
[Illustration: H. Virginiana.]
=Hamamelis Virginiana=, L. (WITCH-HAZEL.) The only species; 10 to 30 ft.
high; rarely grows with a single trunk, but usually forms a slender,
crooked-branched shrub. Flowers sessile, in small clusters of 3 to 4, in
an involucre in the axils of the leaves.
GENUS =41. LIQUIDAMBAR.=
Trees with alternate, simple, palmately cleft leaves. Flowers
inconspicuous; in spring. Fruit a large (1 in.), globular, long-stalked,
dry, open, rough catkin, hanging on the tree through the winter.
[Illustration: L. Styraciflua.]
=Liquidambar Styraciflua=, L. (SWEET GUM. BILSTED.) Leaves rounded,
deeply 5- to 7-cleft, star-shaped, dark green, smooth and shining,
glandular-serrate. Twigs often covered with corky ridges. A large,
beautiful tree, 30 to 70 ft. high, with deeply furrowed bark.
Connecticut, west and south; abundant south of 40 deg. N. Lat. Well worthy
of more extensive cultivation than it has yet received.
ORDER =XX. LYTHRACEAE.=
(LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY.)
A small order of shrubs, herbs, or trees; mainly tropical.
GENUS =42. PUNICA.=
Leaves simple, usually opposite, deciduous; flowers scarlet, with 5
petals and numerous stamens; fruit a many-seeded berry.
[Illustration: P. granatum.]
=Punica granatum=, L. (POMEGRANATE-TREE.) Leaves opposite, lanceolate,
smooth, entire; flowers large, both calyx and corolla scarlet and very
ornamental; the fruit as large as an orange, fine-flavored. A
tree-shaped plant, growing to the height of 20 ft. in the Southern
States. If given some protection, it can be grown as far north as
Washington. It has been cultivated from the earliest times, and is
probably a native of western Asia.
GENUS =43. LAGERSTROEMIA.=
Flowers with 6 long-clawed petals inserted on the broadly spreading
calyx; fruit 3- to 6-celled pods with many winged seeds.
[Illustration: L. Indica.]
=Lagerstroemia Indica=, L. (CRAPE-MYRTLE.) Leaves roundish-ovate,
thick, smooth, short-petiolate; branches winged; flowers in terminal
clusters with large, delicately crisped, long-stemmed petals of pink,
purple, and other colors. A beautiful small tree, or usually a shrub,
from India; often cultivated in the North in conservatories; hardy as
far north as Washington.
ORDER =XXI. ARALIACEAE.= (GINSENG FAMILY.)
A small order of herbs, shrubs, and trees, here represented by the
following genus:
GENUS =44. ARALIA.=
Herbs, shrubs, or trees, with pinnately or palmately compound leaves;
here including Acanthopanax with palmately cleft leaves. Flowers whitish
or greenish, in umbels, often forming large panicles. Fruit small,
berry-like, several-celled, several-seeded.
* Leaves 2 to 3 times odd-pinnate (Aralia proper) 1, 2.
* Leaves simple, palmately cleft (Acanthopanax) 3.
[Illustration: A. spinosa.]
1. =Aralia spinosa=, L. (ANGELICA-TREE. HERCULES'-CLUB.) Leaves large,
crowded at the summit of the stem, twice or sometimes thrice
odd-pinnate, usually prickly, with sessile, ovate, acuminate, deeply
serrate leaflets, glaucous beneath. Large panicles of small whitish
flowers in umbels, with involucres of few leaves. Berry small, 1/4 in.,
5-ribbed, crowned with the remains of the calyx. A tree-like plant, 8 to
12 ft. high, or in the Gulf States 30 ft. high, with the stem covered
with numerous prickles. Usually dies to the ground after flowering. Wild
in damp woods, Pennsylvania and south, and cultivated in the North.
[Illustration: A. Chinensis.]
2. =Aralia Chinensis.= Leaves more or less fully twice-pinnate; leaflets
ovate-oblong, oblique at base, acuminate, sharply serrate, hairy.
Flowers and fruit in large, branching, hairy panicles; thorns few,
straight. A small tree, 10 to 15 ft. high; occasionally cultivated; from
China.
[Illustration: A. Maximowiczii.]
3. =Aralia (Acanthopanax) Maximowiczii.= Leaves long-petioled, simple,
thick, palmately cleft, with 7 serrate lobes; old leaves smooth, the
young with woolly bases. Panicles of flowers and fruit terminal; the
berries striated. Tree-trunk usually quite prickly. This species is said
to grow 50 ft. high in Japan. It has been recently introduced, and
proves perfectly hardy in Massachusetts.
ORDER =XXII. CORNACEAE.= (DOGWOOD FAMILY.)
A small order of shrubs and trees (rarely herbs) of temperate regions.
GENUS =45. CORNUS.=
Small trees or shrubs (one species an herb) with simple, entire,
curved-veined, and (except in one species) opposite leaves. The curved
parallel ribs of the leaves in all the species are quite peculiar and
readily recognized. Flowers small, of 4 petals, in some species rendered
very conspicuous by large bracts. Fruit small, usually bright-colored
drupes in clusters; ripe from August to October. There are but 3 species
that grow at all tree-like.
* Leaves opposite. (=A.=)
=A.= Fruit in close head-like clusters, red when ripe 1.
=A.= Fruit in open clusters. (=B.=)
=B.= Branches bright red; fruit white 2.
=B.= Branches brownish; fruit bright red 3.
* Leaves alternate; fruit blue 4.
[Illustration: C. florida.]
1. =Cornus florida=, L. (FLOWERING DOGWOOD.) Leaves ovate, pointed,
acutish at base. Flowers in a head surrounded by 4 white bracts, making
the whole cluster look like a single large flower 3 in. broad. Abundant
in May and June. Fruit a small, bright red drupe with a single 2-seeded
nut. Ripe in August. A large shrub or low tree 15 to 40 ft. high, with
broad, roundish head. Common on high ground throughout, and one of the
finest small trees in cultivation. A variety with the bracts quite red
is also cultivated.
[Illustration: C. alba.]
2. =Cornus alba=, L. (SIBERIAN RED-STEMMED CORNEL.) Leaves broadly
ovate, acute, densely pubescent beneath; drupes white; branches
recurved, bright red, rendering the plant a conspicuous object in the
winter. A shrub rather than a tree, cultivated from Siberia; hardy
throughout.
[Illustration: C. mascula.]
3. =Cornus mascula=, Dur. (CORNELIAN CHERRY.) Leaves opposite,
oval-acuminate, rather pubescent on both surfaces. Flowers small,
yellow, in umbels from a 4-leaved involucre, blooming before the leaves
are out in spring. Fruit oval, 1/2 in. long, cornelian-colored, ripe in
autumn, rather sweet, used in confectionery. A large shrub or low tree,
8 to 15 ft. high, with hard, tough, flexible wood, sometimes cultivated
for its early flowers and late, beautiful fruit.
[Illustration: C. alternifolia.]
4. =Cornus alternifolia=, L. f. (ALTERNATE-LEAVED CORNEL.) Leaves
alternate, clustered at the ends of the branches, ovate or
oval-acuminate, tapering at base, whitish with minute pubescence
beneath. Cymes of flowers and fruit broad and open. Fruit deep blue on
reddish stalks. Shrub, though occasionally tree-like, 8 to 25 ft. high;
on hillsides throughout; rarely cultivated.
GENUS =46. NYSSA.=
Trees with deciduous, alternate, exstipulate, usually entire leaves,
mostly acute at both ends. Flowers somewhat dioecious, i.e. staminate
and pistillate flowers on separate trees. The staminate flowers are
quite conspicuous because so densely clustered. April and May. Fruit on
but a portion of the trees, consisting of one or two small (1/4 to 1/2
in.), drupes in the axils of the leaves. Stone roughened with grooves.
Ripe in autumn.
* Fruit usually clustered 1, 2.
* Fruit solitary 3.
[Illustration: N. sylvatica.]
1. =Nyssa sylvatica=, Marsh. (PEPPERIDGE. BLACK OR SOUR GUM.) Leaves
oval to obovate, pointed, entire (sometimes angulate-toothed beyond the
middle), rather thick, shining above when old, 2 to 5 in. long. The
leaves are crowded near the ends of the branches and flattened so as to
appear 2-ranked, like the Beech; turning bright crimson in the autumn.
Fruit ovoid, bluish-black, about 1/2 in. long, sour. Medium-sized tree
with mainly an excurrent trunk and horizontal branches. Wood firm,
close-grained and hard to split. Rich soil, latitude of Albany and
southward. Difficult to transplant, so it is rarely cultivated.
2. =Nyssa biflora=, Walt. (SOUR GUM.) Leaves 1 to 3 in. long, smaller
than in N. sylvatica; fertile flowers and fruit 1 to 3, in the axils;
stone decidedly flattened and more strongly furrowed. New Jersey to
Tennessee and southward. Too nearly like the last to need a drawing. All
the species of Nyssa may have the margin of the leaves somewhat
angulated, as shown in the next.
[Illustration: N. uniflora.]
3. =Nyssa uniflora=, Wang. (LARGE TUPELO.) Leaves much larger, 4 to 12
in. long, sometimes slightly cordate at base, entire or angularly
toothed, downy beneath. Fruit solitary, oblong, blue, 1 in. or more in
length. Wood soft, that of the roots light and spongy and used for
corks. In water or wet swamps; Virginia, Kentucky, and southward.
ORDER =XXIII. CAPRIFOLIACEAE.=
(HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY.)
Shrubs (rarely herb or tree-like plants) of temperate regions.
GENUS =47. VIBURNUM.=
Shrubs or small trees with opposite, simple, petioled leaves. Flowers
light-colored, small but in large, conspicuous, flat-topped clusters at
the ends of the branches; blooming in early summer. Fruit small,
1-seeded drupes with flattened stones; ripe in autumn.
* Leaves distinctly palmately lobed 1.
* Leaves pinnately veined and not lobed. (=A.=)
=A.= Coarsely dentated 2.
=A.= Finely serrated. (=B.=)
=B.= Leaves long-acuminated 3.
=B.= Obtuse or slightly pointed 4.
[Illustration: V. Opulus.]
1. =Viburnum Opulus=, L. (CRANBERRY-TREE.) Leaves palmately veined and
strongly 3-lobed, broadly wedge-shaped or truncate at base, the
spreading lobes mostly toothed on the sides and entire in the notches;
petiole with 2 glands at the apex. Fruit in peduncled clusters, light
red and quite sour (whence the name "Cranberry-tree"). A nearly smooth,
small tree or shrub, 4 to 12 ft. high; wild along streams, and
cultivated under the name of Snowball-tree or Guelder Rose. In this
variety the flowers have all become sterile and enlarged. =Viburnum
acerifolium= (ARROW-WOOD) has also lobed leaves, and is much more
common. This species never forms a tree, and has dark-colored berries.
[Illustration: V. dentatum.]
2. =Viburnum dentatum=, L. (ARROW-WOOD.) Leaves, pale green, broadly
ovate, somewhat heart-shaped at base, coarsely and sharply dentated,
strongly veined and often with hairy tufts in the axils; petioles rather
long and slender. Fruit 1/4 in. long, in peduncled clusters, blue or
purple; a cross-section of the stone between kidney-and
horseshoe-shaped. A shrub or small tree, 5 to 15 ft. high, with
ash-colored bark; in wet places.
[Illustration: V. Lentago.]
3. =Viburnum Lentago=, L. (SWEET VIBURNUM OR SHEEP-BERRY.) Leaves broad,
ovate, long-pointed, 2 to 3 in. long, closely and sharply serrated;
petioles long and with narrow, curled margins; entire plant smooth.
Fruit in sessile clusters of 3 to 5 rays, oval, large, 1/2 in. long,
blue-black, edible, sweet; ripe in autumn. A small tree, 10 to 30 ft.
high; found wild throughout, in woods and along streams.
[Illustration: V. prunifolium.]
4. =Viburnum prunifolium=, L. (BLACK HAW.) Leaves oval, obtuse or
slightly pointed, 1 to 2 in. long, finely and sharply serrated. Blooming
early, May to June. Fruit oval, large (1/2 in. long), in sessile clusters
of 3 to 5 rays, black or blue-black, sweet. A tall shrub or small tree,
6 to 12 ft. high; in dry soil or along streams; New York, south and
west.
GENUS =48. LONICERA.=
Leaves entire, opposite; corolla 5-lobed; berry several-seeded.
[Illustration: L. Tartarica.]
=Lonicera Tartarica=. (TARTARIAN HONEY-SUCKLE.) Leaves deciduous, oval,
heart-shaped; flowers in pairs, showy, pink to rose-red; in spring;
berries formed of the two ovaries, bright red; ripe in summer. A shrub,
often planted and occasionally trimmed to a tree-like form, and growing
to the height of nearly 20 ft.
ORDER =XXIV. COMPOSITAE.=
This, the largest order of flowering plants, is made up almost
exclusively of herbaceous plants, but contains one shrub or low tree
which is hardy from Boston southward near the Atlantic coast.
GENUS =49. BACCHARIS.=
Leaves simple, deciduous; heads of flowers small, many-flowered;
receptacle naked; pappus of hairs.
[Illustration: B. halimifolia.]
=Baccharis halimifolia=, L. (GROUNDSEL-TREE.) Leaves obovate,
wedge-shaped, crenately notched at end, light grayish in color, with
whitish powder; branches angled; flowers white with a tint of purple,
blooming in the autumn. A broad, loose-headed, light-colored bush rather
than a tree, 8 to 15 ft. high; wild on sea-beaches, Massachusetts and
south, and occasionally cultivated. The plant is dioecious; the
fertile specimens are rendered quite conspicuous in autumn by their very
long, white pappus.
ORDER =XXV. ERICACEAE.= (HEATH FAMILY.)
A large order, mainly of shrubs, though a few species are herbs, and
fewer still are tall enough to be considered trees.
GENUS =50. OXYDENDRUM.=
Trees with deciduous, alternate, oblong-lanceolate, pointed, serrate,
sour-tasting leaves. Flowers small, in large panicles at the ends of the
branches. In summer. Fruit small, dry capsules, with 5 cells and many
seeds.
[Illustration: O. arboreum.]
=Oxydendrum arboreum=, DC. (SORREL-TREE. SOURWOOD.) Leaves in size and
shape much like those of Peach trees. Flowers small, urn-shaped.
Small-sized tree, 15 to 50 ft. high; wild in rich woods, Pennsylvania
and southward, mainly in the mountains. Rare in cultivation, but very
beautiful, especially in autumn, when its leaves are brilliantly
colored, and the panicles of fruit still remain on the trees. It is
perfectly hardy both at the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, and the Missouri
Botanical Garden, St. Louis.
GENUS =51. KALMIA.=
Evergreen shrubs with alternate, entire, thick, smooth leaves. Flowers
large, beautiful, cup-shaped, in showy clusters. Fruit a small,
5-celled, many-seeded capsule.
[Illustration: K. latifolia.]
=Kalmia latifolia=, L. (MOUNTAIN-LAUREL. CALICO-BUSH.) The only species
which grows at all tree-like has ovate-lanceolate or elliptical, smooth,
petioled leaves, tapering at both ends and green on both sides. Flowers
in terminal corymbs, clammy-pubescent, white to pink. June. Pod
depressed, glandular. Shrub or small tree, 4 to 25 ft. high, with
reddish twigs; wild in rocky hills and damp soils through out;
occasionally planted. Wood very hard and close-grained.
GENUS =52. RHODODENDRON.=
Shrubs or low trees with usually alternate, entire leaves and showy
flowers in umbel-like clusters from large, scaly-bracted, terminal buds.
Fruit a dry 5-celled pod with many seeds.
[Illustration: R. maximum.]
=Rhododendron maximum=, L. (GREAT LAUREL.) Leaves thick, 4 to 10 in.
long, elliptical-oblong or lance-oblong, acute, narrowed toward the
base, very smooth, with somewhat revolute margins. Flowers large (1
in.), with an irregular bell-shaped corolla and sticky stems, in large
clusters, white or slightly pinkish with yellowish dots. July. Evergreen
shrub or tree, 6 to 20 ft. high, throughout the region, especially in
damp swamps in the Alleghany Mountains; occasionally cultivated.
GENUS =53. CLETHRA.=
Shrubs or trees with alternate, simple, deciduous, exstipulate, serrate
leaves. Flowers (July and August) conspicuous, white, in elongated
terminal racemes which are covered with a whitish powder. Fruit 3-celled
pods with many seeds, covered by the calyx.
* Leaves thin, large, 3 to 7 in. long, pale beneath 1.
* Leaves thickish, smaller, green both sides 2.
[Illustration: C. acuminata.]
1. =Clethra acuminata=, Michx. (ACUMINATE-LEAVED CLETHRA. SWEET
PEPPER-BUSH.) Leaves 3 to 7 in. long, oval to oblong, pointed, thin,
abruptly acute at base, finely serrate, on slender petioles, smooth
above and glaucous below. Racemes drooping, of sweet-scented flowers,
with the bracts longer than the flowers. Filaments and pod hairy. A
small tree or shrub, 10 to 20 ft. high, in the Alleghanies, Virginia,
and south. Not often in cultivation, but well worthy of it.
[Illustration: C. alnifolia.]
2. =Clethra alnifolia=, L. (COMMON SWEET PEPPER-BUSH.) Leaves
wedge-obovate, sharply serrate near the apex, entire near the base,
straight-veined, smooth, green on both sides. Racemes erect, often
compound, with bracts shorter than the flowers and with smooth
filaments. This is a shrub rather than a tree; abundant in wet places
east of the Alleghanies. Occasionally cultivated for its sweet-scented
flowers.
ORDER =XXVI. SAPOTACEAE.=
(SAPODILLA FAMILY.)
A small order, mainly of tropical plants, here including one genus found
only in the southern part of our range.
GENUS =54. BUMELIA.=
Leaves simple, alternate, entire, sub-evergreen, exstipulate; branches
often spiny. Flowers small, whitish, usually crowded in fascicles. Fruit
a black cherry-like drupe with a 2- to 3-celled nut. Shrubs and trees of
the Southern States. Two species (although hardly trees) are found far
enough north to be included in this work.
* Leaves rusty-woolly beneath 1.
* Leaves smooth or slightly silky beneath 2.
[Illustration: B. lanuginosa.]
1. =Bumelia lanuginosa=, Pers. (WOOLLY-LEAVED BUCKTHORN.) Leaves
oblong-obovate, obtuse, entire, smooth above and rusty-woolly beneath,
but not silky; spiny, with downy branchlets. Clusters 6- to 12-flowered,
pubescent; flowers greenish-yellow. Fruit globular and quite large (1/2
in.), black, edible. A small tree, 10 to 40 ft. high, of the woods of
southern Illinois and southward. With slight protection it can be
cultivated in Massachusetts.
[Illustration: B. lycioides.]
2. =Bumelia lycioides=, Pers. (SOUTHERN BUCKTHORN.) Leaves 2 to 4 in.
long, oval-lanceolate, usually bluntish with a tapering base and entire
margin, deciduous, a little silky beneath when young. Clusters densely
many-flowered (20 to 30); flowers small (1/6 in.), smooth,
greenish-white. May, June. A spiny shrub or tree, 10 to 25 ft. high, in
moist ground, Virginia, west and south. About as hardy as the preceding
species.
ORDER =XXVII. EBENACEAE.= (EBONY FAMILY.)
A small order of mostly tropical trees and shrubs.
GENUS =55. DIOSPYROS.=
Trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, entire, feather-veined leaves.
Flowers small, inconspicuous, mostly dioecious. Fruit a globose berry
with the 5-lobed thick calyx at the base, and with 8 to 12, occasionally
1 to 5, rather large seeds; ripe after frost.
[Illustration: D. Virginiana.]
=Diospyros Virginiana=, L. (COMMON PERSIMMON.) Leaves 4 to 6 in.
long, ovate-oblong, acuminate, rather thick, smooth, dark, shining
above, a little pale beneath. Bark dark-colored and deeply furrowed in a
netted manner with rather small meshes. Flowers yellowish, rather small,
somewhat dioecious; the staminate ones urn-shaped with mouth nearly
closed; the pistillate ones more open. June. Fruit large, 1 in.; very
astringent when young, yellow and pleasant-tasting after frost. A
handsome, ornamental tree, 20 to 60 ft. high, with very hard,
dark-colored wood and bright foliage. Southern New England to Illinois
and south; also cultivated. =Diospyros Lotus= (DATE-PLUM), with
leaves very dark green above, much paler and downy beneath, and fruit
much smaller (2/3 in.), and =Diospyros Kaki= (JAPAN PERSIMMON), with
large, leathery, shining leaves and very large fruit (2 in.), are
successfully cultivated from Washington, D. C., southward. The under
leaf represents D. Lotus, the upper one a small specimen of D. Kaki.
[Illustration: D. Lotus and D. Kaki.]
ORDER =XXVIII. STYRACACEAE.=
(STORAX FAMILY.)
A small order of shrubs and trees, mostly of warm countries.
GENUS =56. STYRAX.=
Shrubs or small trees with commonly deciduous leaves, and axillary, or
racemed, white, showy flowers on drooping stems. Pubescence scurfy or
stellate; fruit a globular dry drupe, its base covered with the
persistent calyx, forming a 1- to 3-seeded nut.
[Illustration: S. Americana.]
1. =Styrax Americana=, Lam. (AMERICAN STORAX.) Shrub or small tree (4
to 10 ft.), with oblong, alternate leaves acute at both ends, 1 to 3
inches long, smooth or very nearly so; fruit 1/2 in. long, in racemes of
3-4. Wild along streams, Virginia and south; occasionally cultivated,
and probably hardy throughout.
[Illustration: S. Japonica.]
2. =Styrax Japonica=, Sieb. (JAPAN STORAX.) Leaves alternate,
membranaceous, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, serrate or crenate, 1/2 to 3
in. long, smooth or with short stellate hairs; flowers and fruit in long
racemes. A beautiful low tree, 6 to 12 ft. high; from Japan. Hardy as
far north as Philadelphia, but needing a little protection in
Massachusetts and Missouri.
GENUS =57. PTEROSTYRAX.=
Similar to Styrax, but with the fruit in panicles, 5-winged, conical,
and crowned with the persistent base of the style.
[Illustration: P. corymbosum.]
=Pterostyrax corymbosum=, Sieb. Leaves deciduous, 2 to 5 in. long,
feather-veined, petioled, ovate, rarely cordate at base, sharply
serrate, with stellate hairs. Shrub or small tree, 10 to 12 ft. high,
cultivated from Japan; with ashy-gray bark, and white flowers turning
yellowish or purplish with age; blooming in May, fruit ripe in August.
Not perfectly hardy in Massachusetts.
GENUS =58. HALESIA.=
Small trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, deciduous, serrate leaves.
Flowers large, 1 in. long, conspicuous, white, hanging, bell-shaped,
monopetalous, 4-lobed; blooming in spring. Fruit with a single, rough,
elongated, bony nut surrounded by a 2- to 4-winged coat; ripe in autumn.
Wood light-colored, very hard and fine-grained.
[Illustration: H. diptera.]
1. =Halesia diptera, L.= (TWO-WINGED SILVERBELL TREE.) Leaves large (4
to 5 in. long), ovate, acute, serrate, softly pubescent. Fruit with 2
conspicuous, broad wings, sometimes with 2 intermediate narrow ridges. A
small tree or a large shrub, wild in the south, and cultivated as far
north as New York City.
[Illustration: H. tetraptera.]
2. =Halesia tetraptera, L.= (FOUR-WINGED SILVERBELL TREE.) Leaves
smaller (2 to 4 in.), oblong-ovate, finely serrate. Fruit smaller, with
4 nearly equal wings. A small, beautiful tree, 10 to 30 ft. high, more
hardy than Halesia diptera, and therefore cultivated occasionally
throughout. Wild in Virginia and south.
GENUS =59. SYMPLOCOS.=
Shrubs or small trees, with leaves furnishing a yellow dye.
[Illustration: S. tinctoria.]
=Symplocos tinctoria=, L'Her. (HORSE-SUGAR. SWEETLEAF.) Leaves simple,
alternate, thick, 3 to 5 in. long, elongate-oblong, acuminate, nearly
entire, almost persistent, pale beneath, with minute pubescence,
sweet-tasting. Flowers 6 to 14, in close-bracted, axillary clusters,
5-parted, sweet-scented, yellow; in early spring. Fruit a dry drupe,
ovoid, 1/2 in. long. A shrub or small tree, 10 to 20 ft. high. Delaware
and south.
ORDER =XXIX. OLEACEAE.= (OLIVE FAMILY.)
An order of trees and shrubs, mainly of temperate regions.
GENUS =60. FRAXINUS.=
Trees with petioled, opposite, odd-pinnate leaves (one cultivated
variety has simple leaves). Flowers often inconspicuous, in large
panicles before the leaves in spring. Fruit single-winged at one end
(samara or key-fruit), in large clusters; ripe in autumn. Some trees,
owing to the flowers being staminate, produce no fruit. Wood
light-colored, tough, very distinctly marked by the annual layers. The
leaves appear late in the spring, and fall early in the autumn.
* Flowers with white corolla; a cultivated small tree 8.
* Flowers with no corolla. (=A.=)
=A.= Leaves pinnate; leaflets petiolate; calyx small,
persistent on the fruit. (=B.=)
=B.= Fruit broad-winged, 3/4 in. wide. South 5.
=B.= Wings much narrower. (=C.= )
=C.= Branchlets round and pubescent 2.
=C.= Branchlets round and smooth. (=D.=)
=D.= Leaflets nearly entire 1.
=D.= Leaflets serrate near tip, entire below 3.
=C.= Branchlets, on vigorous growths, square 4.
=A.= Leaves pinnate; leaflets sessile; no calyx. (=E.=)
=E.= Native; wing of fruit rounded at tip 6.
=E.= Cultivated from Europe; wing notched at tip 7.
=A.= Leaves simple; variety under 7.
[Illustration: F. Americana.]
1. =Fraxinus Americana=, L. (WHITE ASH.) Leaflets 7 to 9 (usually 7),
stalked, ovate or lance-oblong, pointed, shining above, pale and either
smooth or pubescent beneath, somewhat toothed or entire. Flowers almost
always dioecious (May), thus the fruit is found on but a portion of
the trees. The fruit (August to September) terete and marginless below,
abruptly dilated into the wing, which is 2 to 3 times as long as the
terete portion; entire fruit about 1 1/2 in. long. A common large
forest-tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, with gray, furrowed bark, smooth,
grayish-green branchlets, and rusty-colored buds. Extensively
cultivated.
[Illustration: F. pubescens.]
2. =Fraxinus pubescens=, Lam. (RED ASH.) Like the White Ash, but to be
distinguished from it by the down on the young, green or olive-green
twigs, and on the footstalks and lower surface of the leaves. Fruit
acute, 2-edged at base, gradually dilated into the wings as in Fraxinus
viridis. A smaller and more slender tree than the White Ash; growing in
about the same localities, but rare west of the Alleghanies; heart-wood
darker-colored.
[Illustration: F. viridis.]
3. =Fraxinus viridis=, Michx. f. (GREEN ASH.) Smooth throughout;
leaflets 5 to 9, bright green on both sides, ovate or oblong-lanceolate,
often wedge-shaped at base and serrate above. Fruit acute and 2-edged or
margined at base and gradually spreading into an oblanceolate or
linear-spatulate wing as in the Red Ash. Small to middle-sized trees
(like the Red Ash), found throughout, but common westward.
[Illustration: F. quadrangulata.]
4. =Fraxinus quadrangulata=, Michx. (BLUE ASH.) Leaflets 7 to 9,
short-stalked, oblong-ovate or lanceolate, pointed, sharply serrate,
green on both sides. Fruit narrowly oblong, blunt, of the same width at
both ends, or slightly narrowed at the base. A large tree, 60 to 80 ft.
high, with smooth square twigs on the vigorous growths. Wisconsin to
Ohio and Kentucky.
[Illustration: F. platycarpa.]
5. =Fraxinus platycarpa=, Michx. (WATER-ASH.) Leaflets 5 to 7, 3 to 5
in. long, ovate or oblong, acute at both ends, short-stalked, slightly
serrate. Branchlets terete, smooth to pubescent. Fruit broadly winged, 3/4
in. wide, often 3-winged, tapering to the base. A medium-sized tree in
deep river-swamps, Virginia and south.
[Illustration: F. sambucifolia.]
6. =Fraxinus sambucifolia=, Lam. (BLACK ASH.) Leaflets 7 to 11, sessile,
oblong-lanceolate, tapering to a point, serrate, obtuse or rounded at
base, green and smooth on both sides; when young, with some rusty hairs
along the midrib. Fruit without calyx at base and with wing all around
the seed-bearing part, blunt at both ends. A slender tree, 40 to 70 ft.
high, with dark-blue or black buds.
[Illustration: F. excelsior.]
[Illustration: Var. monophylla.]
7. =Fraxinus excelsior=, L. (EUROPEAN ASH.) Leaflets 11 to 13 (in some
cultivated varieties reduced to 1 to 5), almost sessile,
lanceolate-oblong, acuminate, serrate, wedge-shaped at base. Flowers
naked, somewhat dioecious, and so the fruit does not form on all the
trees. Keys linear-oblong, obtuse, obliquely notched at apex. This
species in its very numerous varieties is common in cultivation. One of
the most interesting is the Weeping Ash (var. _pendula_). The most
remarkable is the one with simple, from pinnatifid to entire leaves
(var. _monophylla_).
[Illustration: F. ornus.]
8. =Fraxinus ornus.= (FLOWERING ASH.) Leaflets 7 to 9, lanceolate or
elliptical, attenuated, serrated, entire at the stalked bases, villous
or downy beneath. Flowers fringe-like, white, in large terminal drooping
clusters, of 4 or 2 petals. May to June. Fruit small, lance-linear,
obtuse, attenuate at each end. A small tree, 15 to 30 ft. high, planted
in parks. Not hardy north of New York City without some protection.
GENUS =61. OSMANTHUS.=
Shrub or small tree with opposite, thick, evergreen, nearly entire
leaves. Flowers small, white, in panicles or corymbs in late spring.
Fruit a spherical drupe, 1/2 in. long, with a 2-seeded stone; hanging on
during the winter.
[Illustration: O. Americana.]
=Osmanthus Americana, L.= (DEVIL-WOOD.) Leaves thick, evergreen,
oblong-lanceolate, entire, acute, narrowed to a petiole, 4 to 5 in.
long. Flowers dioecious, very small. May. Fruit globular, about 1/2 in.
in diameter, violet-purplish; ripe in autumn, and remaining on the tree
through the winter. A small tree, 15 to 20 ft. high, from southern
Virginia southward, in moist woods.
GENUS =62. SYRINGA.=
Leaves simple, entire, opposite; flowers ornamental, in large, dense
clusters. The Lilacs are all beautiful, but form mere shrubs, except the
following:
[Illustration: S. Japonica.]
=Syringa Japonica.= (JAPAN LILAC. GIANT TREE LILAC.) Leaves deciduous,
opposite, oval to cordate, thick, dark green, glossy; flowers white,
4-parted, odorless, in very large, dense, erect, terminal clusters,
blooming in summer; fruit dry 2-celled pods with 2 to 4 seeds. A
magnificent small tree, 20 to 30 ft. high; from Japan; probably hardy
throughout.
GENUS =63. CHIONANTHUS.=
Low trees or shrubs with simple, deciduous, opposite, entire, thick,
smooth, petioled leaves. Flowers 4-parted, with long, slender, delicate
white lobes, drooping in clusters from the lower side of the branches
and forming a fringe; in early summer. Fruit a purple drupe.
[Illustration: C. Virginica.]
=Chionanthus Virginica, L.= (FRINGE-TREE). Leaves smooth, thickish,
large (3 to 6 in. long), oval or obovate, entire. The leaves are
occasionally somewhat alternate and thin; they resemble those of the
Magnolia. Drupe ovoid, 3/4 in. long, covered with a bloom. A beautiful
small tree or shrub, 8 to 30 ft. high, wild along streams, southern
Pennsylvania and southward, and generally cultivated north for its
delicate fringe-like flowers. Hardy.
A variety (var. _angustifolia_) with long, narrow leaves is occasionally
cultivated.
ORDER =XXX. SCROPHULARIACEAE.=
(FIGWORT FAMILY.)
A large order of plants, almost entirely herbaceous; found in all
climates; it includes one cultivated tree in this region.
GENUS =64. PAULOWNIA.=
Tree with opposite (sometimes in whorls of three), large, deciduous,
palmately veined, heart-shaped leaves. Leaf-stem often hollow; minute
cup-shaped glands, separated from one another, situated on many portions
of the leaf, but quite abundant on the upper side at the branching of
the veins. Flowers large, in immense panicles; in spring, before the
leaves expand. Fruit a dry, ovate, pointed capsule, 1 1/2 in. long, with
innumerable flat-winged seeds; hanging on the tree throughout the
winter.
[Illustration: P. imperialis.]
=Paulownia imperialis=, (IMPERIAL PAULOWNIA.) Leaves 7 to 14 in. long,
sometimes somewhat lobed, usually very hairy beneath; 2 buds, almost
hidden under the bark, above each other in the axil. Flowers purple,
nearly 2 in. long, with a peculiar, thick, leather-like calyx. A broad
flat-headed tree, of rapid growth when young. Cultivated; from Japan;
and hardy throughout, but the flower-buds are winter-killed quite
frequently north of New York City.
ORDER =XXXI. BIGNONIACEAE.=
(BIGNONIA FAMILY.)
An order of woody plants abundant in South America; here including one
genus of trees:
GENUS =65. CATALPA.=
Trees or shrubs with large, simple, opposite (or whorled in threes),
heart-shaped, pointed leaves. Flowers irregular, showy, in large
panicles; blooming in June. Fruit long pods with many, winged seeds,
hanging on till spring. Branches coarse and stiff. Wood light and
close-grained.
* Flowers bright-spotted; wings of seeds narrowed 1.
* Flowers nearly pure white; wings of seeds broad 2.
[Illustration: C. bignonioides.]
1. =Catalpa bignonioides=, Walt. (INDIAN BEAN. SOUTHERN CATALPA.) The
large heart-shaped leaf has connected scaly glands in the axils of the
large veins on the lower side; usually entire though sometimes
angulated, generally opposite though sometimes in whorls of threes, very
downy beneath when young, 6 to 12 in. long. Flowers much spotted with
yellow and purple, and with the lower lobe entire. Pod thin, 10 in. or
more in length. A medium-sized, wide-spreading tree, 20 to 40 ft. high,
of rapid growth, with soft, light wood and thin bark; wild in the
Southern States, and extensively cultivated as far north as Albany.
[Illustration: C. speciosa.]
2. =Catalpa speciosa=, Warder. (INDIAN BEAN. WESTERN CATALPA.) Leaves
large (5 to 12 in. long), heart-shaped, long-pointed. Flowers 2 in.
long, nearly white, faintly spotted, the lower lobes somewhat notched.
Pod thick. A large, tall tree, 40 to 60 ft. high, with thick bark; wild
in low, rich woodlands, southern Indiana, south and west.
[Illustration: C. Kaempferi.]
=Catalpa Kaempferi= and =Catalpa Bungei= are dwarf forms from Japan,
the latter growing to the height of from 4 to 8 ft., and the former
rarely reaching the height of 18 ft. The leaf of C. Kaempferi is
figured. It is more apt to have its margin angulated, though all the
species occasionally have angulated leaves.
ORDER =XXXII. VERBENACEAE.=
Herbs, shrubs, rarely small trees, with opposite leaves, irregular
flowers and dry 2- to 4-celled fruits.
GENUS =66. CLERODENDRON.=
Shrubby trees or climbing shrubs with opposite or whorled, usually
entire leaves; flowers with an almost regular, 5-parted corolla
surrounded by a bell-shaped calyx; fruit drupe-like, with 4 seeds.
[Illustration: C. trichotomum.]
=Clerodendron trichotomum=, Thunb. (FATE-TREE.) Leaves opposite,
long-petioled, cordate, thin, entire, glandular-dotted above, very
veiny; lower leaves largest and three-lobed, the upper ovate,
long-pointed, all 3-ribbed. Flowers in large, terminal clusters; fruit
with juicy pulp covering the 4 seeds. A small tree from Japan; hardy at
Washington and south. The figure represents one of the upper leaves.
GENUS =67. VITEX.=
Shrubs or low trees with opposite, usually palmate leaves, panicled
clusters of flowers and drupe-like fruit.
[Illustration: V. Agnus-castus.]
=Vitex Agnus-castus, L.= (CHASTE-TREE.) Leaves long-petioled, palmate,
with 5 to 7 lanceolate, acute, nearly entire leaflets, whitened beneath;
with an aromatic though unpleasant odor. Branches obtusely 4-sided,
hairy; flowers pale lilac, in interrupted panicles, agreeably
sweet-scented in late summer. Shrub or small tree, 5 to 10 ft. high,
cultivated from southern Europe; hardy at Washington and south. If
cultivated further north, it needs protection, at least when young.
ORDER =XXXIII. LAURACEAE.= (LAUREL FAMILY.)
An order of aromatic trees and shrubs, chiefly tropical.
GENUS =68. PERSEA.=
Aromatic, evergreen trees with alternate, entire, feather-veined leaves.
Flowers small, in small close panicles. Fruit small (1/2 in.) 1-seeded
drupes.
[Illustration: P. Carolinensis.]
=Persea Carolinensis=, Nees. (RED BAY.) Leaves 2 to 5 in. long, oblong,
entire, covered with a fine down when young, soon smooth above. Flowers
silky, in small rounded clusters on short stems. May. Fruit an ovate,
pointed, 1-seeded, deep-blue drupe, 1/2 in. long, on a red stalk; ripe in
autumn. Usually a small tree, 15 to 70 ft. high, wild in swamps,
Delaware, Virginia, and south. Wood reddish, beautiful, hard, strong,
durable.
GENUS =69. SASSAFRAS.=
Aromatic trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, deciduous, often lobed
leaves. Juice of bark and leaves mucilaginous. Flowers yellowish-green,
in clusters; blooming in early spring. Fruit a small bluish drupe on a
thick reddish stem. Ripe in September. Twigs greenish-yellow.
[Illustration: S. officinale.]
=Sassafras officinale=, Nees. (SASSAFRAS.) Leaves very variable in form,
ovate, entire, or some of them 2- to 3-lobed, soon smooth. Flowering as
the leaves are putting forth. Tree 15 to 100 ft. high, common in rich
woods. The aromatic fragrance is strongest in the bark of the roots.
Wood reddish, rather hard and durable.
GENUS =70. LINDERA.=
Shrubs with deciduous, alternate, aromatic leaves and small, yellow
flowers in close clusters along the branches. Fruit a drupe on a
not-thickened stalk.
[Illustration: L. Benzoin.]
=Lindera Benzoin=, Blume. (SPICE-BUSH. BENJAMIN-BUSH.) Leaves alternate,
oblong-ovate, entire, pale beneath, very spicy in odor and taste; twigs
green; leaf-buds scaly; drupes red, ripe in autumn. Flowers 4 to 5
together in sessile umbels; in early spring, before the leaves expand.
Common in damp woods throughout.
ORDER =XXXIV. ELAEAGNACEAE.=
(OLEASTER FAMILY.)
A small order of shrubs or small trees, with the leaves covered with
silvery scurf.
GENUS =71. ELAEAGNUS=.
Leaves alternate, entire; flowers axillary, stemmed; fruit drupe-like
with an 8-grooved stone.
[Illustration: E. longipes.]
=Elaeagnus longipes.= (SILVER-LEAVED ELAEAGNUS.) Leaves almost evergreen,
rather thick, ovate-oblong, rather blunt, entire, smooth and dark green
above, but silvery below. Flowers inconspicuous. Fruit about 1/2 in. long,
bright red, with silvery scales, very abundant and beautiful; ripe in
July; juicy and edible, with a pungent flavor. Shrub from Japan; hardy
throughout.
GENUS =72. SHEPHERDIA.=
Small trees or shrubs with opposite, deciduous, entire, silvery-scaled
leaves. Flowers very small, dioecious. Fruit small, berry-like,
translucent, 1-seeded.
[Illustration: S. argentea.]
=Shepherdia argentea=, Nutt. (BUFFALO-BERRY. RABBIT-BERRY.) Leaves
opposite, oblong-ovate, tapering at base, silvery on both sides, with
small peltate scales. Branches often ending in sharp thorns. Fruit,
scarlet berries the size of currants, forming continuous clusters on
every branch and twig, but found only on the pistillate plants. They are
juicy, somewhat sour, pleasant-tasting, and make excellent jelly; ripe
in September. A small handsome tree, 5 to 20 ft. high, wild in the Rocky
Mountains, and sometimes cultivated east. Its thorny-tipped branches
make it a good hedge-plant. Hardy.
ORDER =XXXV. EUPHORBIACEAE.=
(SPURGE FAMILY.)
A large order of mainly herbaceous and shrubby plants of warm countries,
with usually milky juice.
GENUS =73. BUXUS.=
Shrubs or trees with opposite, evergreen, entire leaves and small
flowers. The fruit 3-celled, 6-seeded pods.
[Illustration: B. sempervirens.]
=Buxus sempervirens=, L. (BOXWOOD.) Leaves ovate, smooth, dark green;
leaf-stems hairy at edge. This plant is a native of Europe, and in its
tree form furnishes the white wood used for wood-engraving.
Var. _subfruticosa_ (dwarf boxwood) grows only a foot or two high, and
is extensively used for edgings in gardens. The tree form is more rare
in cultivation, and is of slow growth, but forms a round-topped tree.
ORDER =XXXVI. URTICACEAE.= (NETTLE FAMILY.)
A large order of herbs, shrubs and trees, mainly tropical.
GENUS =74. ULMUS.=
Tall umbrella-shaped trees with watery juice and alternate, 2-ranked,
simple, deciduous, obliquely ovate to obliquely heart-shaped, strongly
straight-veined, serrate leaves, harsh to the touch, often rough.
Flowers insignificant, appearing before the leaves. Fruit a flattened,
round-winged samara; ripe in the spring and dropping early from the
trees. Bark rough with longitudinal ridges.
* Leaves very rough on the upper side. (=A.=)
=A.= Leaves 4 to 8 in. long; buds rusty-downy; inner bark very
mucilaginous 1.
=A.= Leaves smaller; buds not downy; cultivated. (=B.=)
=B.= Wide-spreading tree; twigs drooping; fruit slightly
notched 2.
=B.= Tree rather pyramidal; twigs not usually drooping; fruit
deeply notched 3.
* Leaves not very rough on the upper side. (=C.=)
=C.= Buds and branchlets pubescent; twigs often with corky
ridges 4.
=C.= Buds and branchlets free from hairs, or very nearly so.
(=D.=)
=D.= Twigs with corky wings 5.
=D.= Twigs often with corky ridges; cultivated 2, 3.
=D.= Branchlets never corky 6.
[Illustration: U. fulva.]
1. =Ulmus fulva=, Michx. (SLIPPERY OR RED ELM.) Leaves large, 4 to 8
in., very rough above, ovate-oblong, taper-pointed, doubly serrate,
soft-downy beneath; branchlets downy; inner bark very mucilaginous;
leaves sweet-scented in drying; buds in spring soft and downy with rusty
hairs. Fruit with a shallow notch in the wing not nearly reaching the
rounded nut. A medium-sized tree, 45 to 60 ft. high, with tough and very
durable reddish wood; wild in rich soils throughout.
[Illustration: U. montana.]
2. =Ulmus montana=, Bauh. (SCOTCH OR WITCH ELM.) Leaves broad, obovate,
abruptly pointed and doubly serrated. Fruit rounded, with a slightly
notched wing, naked. Branches drooping at their extremity, their bark
smooth and even. A medium-sized tree, 50 to 60 ft. high, with spreading
or often drooping branches; extensively cultivated under a dozen
different names, among the most peculiar being the White-margined (var.
_alba marginata_), the Crisped-leaved (var. _crispa_), and the Weeping
(var. _pendula_) Elms.
[Illustration: U. campestris.]
3. =Ulmus campestris=, L. (ENGLISH OR FIELD ELM.) Leaves much smaller
and of a darker color than the American Elm, obovate-oblong, abruptly
sharp-pointed, doubly serrated, rough. Fruit smooth, with the wing
deeply notched. A tall and beautiful cultivated tree, with the branches
growing out from the trunk more abruptly than those of the American Elm,
and thus forming a more pyramidal tree. A score of named varieties are
in cultivation in this country, some with very corky bark, others with
curled leaves, and still others with weeping branches.
[Illustration: U. racemosa.]
4. =Ulmus racemosa=, Thomas. (CORK OR ROCK ELM.) Leaves 2 to 4 in. long,
obovate-oblong, abruptly pointed, often doubly serrated, with very
straight veins; twigs and bud-scales downy-ciliate; branches often with
corky ridges. Fruit large (1/2 in. or more long), with a deep notch;
hairy. A large tree with fine-grained, heavy and very tough wood.
Southwest Vermont, west and south, southwestward to Missouri, on
river-banks.
[Illustration: U. alata.]
5. =Ulmus alata=, Michx. (WAHOO OR WINGED ELM.) Leaves small, 1 to 2 in.
long, ovate-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, acute, thickish, downy beneath
and nearly smooth above, sharply serrate. Bud-scales and branchlets
nearly smooth. Notch in the wing of the fruit deep. A small tree, 30 to
40 ft. high, the branches having corky wings. Wild, Virginia, west and
south; rarely cultivated.
[Illustration: U. Americana.]
6. =Ulmus Americana=, L. (AMERICAN OR WHITE ELM.) Leaves 2 to 4 in.
long, obovate-oblong or oval, abruptly sharp-pointed, sharply and often
doubly serrated, soft-pubescent beneath when young, soon quite smooth;
buds and branchlets smooth. Fruit 1/2 in. long, its sharp points incurved
and closing the deep notch; hairy only on the edges. A large ornamental
tree, usually with spreading branches and drooping branchlets, forming a
very wide-spreading top. Wild throughout in rich, moist soil; common in
cultivation.
GENUS =75. PLANERA.=
Trees or tall shrubs with alternate, simple, pointed, 2-ranked,
feather-veined, toothed leaves. Flowers inconspicuous, with the leaves
in spring. Fruit a small, nut-like, scaly, globular drupe, ripe in
autumn. Bark scaling off like that of the Sycamore.
[Illustration: P. aquatica.]
1. =Planera aquatica=, Gmel. (AMERICAN PLANER-TREE.) Leaves
ovate-oblong, small, 1 to 1 1/2 in. long, on short stems, sharp-pointed,
serrate with equal teeth, smooth, green above and gray below, not
oblique at base. Flowers minute, in small heads, appearing before the
leaves. Fruit a scaly, roughened nut, 1/4 in., raised on a stalk in the
calyx; ripe in September. A small tree, 20 to 50 ft. high; wet banks,
Kentucky and southward; hardy as far north as Philadelphia.
[Illustration: P. acuminata.]
2. =Planera acuminata.= (KIAKA ELM OR JAPAN PLANER-TREE.) Leaves large,
glossy, smooth, deeply notched, on red stems; young shoots also red.
This is a larger, more hardy, and finer tree than the American
Planer-tree, and should be more extensively cultivated.
The Caucasian Planer-tree (_Planera parvifolia_), with very small
leaves, is also occasionally cultivated.
GENUS =76. CELTIS.=
Trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, 2-ranked, oblique, serrate
leaves. Flowers inconspicuous, greenish, axillary. Fruit berry-like,
sweet, edible drupes, about the size of a currant, with one seed; color
dark; ripe in autumn.
* Leaves usually sharply serrate 1.
* Leaves almost entire 2.
[Illustration: C. occidentalis.]
1. =Celtis occidentalis=, L. (SUGARBERRY. HACKBERRY.) Leaves ovate,
obliquely subcordate to truncate at base, long-acuminate, serrate (at
least near the apex), rough above and hairy beneath. Fruit a
single-seeded, 1/4 in., globular drupe, solitary on a peduncle, 1 in.
long, in the axils of the leaves; purple when ripe in autumn.
Shrub (var. _pumila_) to large tree, 6 to 50 ft. high; throughout; rare
north, abundant south. Sometimes cultivated. The branches are numerous,
slender, horizontal, giving the tree a wide-spreading, dense top.
[Illustration: C. Mississippiensis.]
2. =Celtis Mississippiensis=, Bosc. Leaves almost entire, with a very
long, tapering point, a rounded and mostly oblique base, thin and
smooth. Fruit smaller than that of the preceding species. A small tree
with rough, warty bark. Illinois and southward.
GENUS =77. MACLURA.=
Trees or shrubs with milky juice and simple, alternate, entire,
deciduous leaves, generally having a sharp spine by the side of the bud
in the axils. Flowers inconspicuous; in summer. Fruit large, globular,
orange-like in appearance.
[Illustration: M. aurantiaca.]
=Maclura aurantiaca=, Nutt. (OSAGE ORANGE. BOW-WOOD.) Leaves rather
thick, ovate to ovate-oblong, almost entire, smooth and shining above,
strong-veined and paler beneath, 4 in. long by 2 in. wide; spines
simple, about 1 in. long. Fruit as large as an orange, golden-yellow
when ripe. A medium-sized tree, 20 to 50 ft. high; native west of the
Mississippi. Extensively cultivated for hedges, and also for ornament,
throughout.
GENUS =78. MORUS.=
Trees with milky juice and alternate, deciduous, exstipulate, broad,
heart-shaped, usually rough leaves. Flowers inconspicuous; in spring.
Fruit blackberry-like in shape and size; in summer.
* Leaves rough; fruit dark-colored 1.
* Leaves smooth and shining; fruit white to black 2.
[Illustration: M. rubra.]
1. =Morus rubra=, L. (RED MULBERRY.) Leaves broad, heart-shaped, 4 to 6
in. long, serrate, rough above and downy beneath, pointed; on the young
shoots irregularly lobed. Fruit dark red, almost purple when ripe,
cylindrical; not found on all the trees, as the flowers are somewhat
dioecious; ripe in July. Wood yellow, heavy and durable. Usually a
small tree, 15 to 60 ft. high; wild throughout, also cultivated.
[Illustration: M. alba.]
2. =Morus alba=, L. (WHITE MULBERRY.) Leaves obliquely heart-ovate,
pointed, serrate, smooth and shining; lobed on the younger growths; 2 to
7 in. long. Fruit whitish, oval to oblong; ripe in July. A small tree
from China, planted for feeding silkworms, but now naturalized
throughout.
Var. _multicaulis_ has large leaves, and is considered better for
silkworm food than the usual form. It is not very hardy, as it is
frequently winter-killed in the latitude of New York City.
Var. _Downingii_ (Downing's everbearing Mulberry) has large leaves and
very large, dark red or black fruit, of excellent flavor, which does not
ripen all at once as most Mulberries do.
GENUS =79. BROUSSONETIA.=
Trees with milky juice and alternate, deciduous, stipulate, broad, very
hairy leaves. Flowers dioecious. Fruit (only on a portion of the
plants) similar to the common Mulberry.
[Illustration: B. papyrifera.]
=Broussonetia papyrifera=, L. (PAPER-MULBERRY.) Leaves ovate to
heart-shaped, variously lobed, deeply so on the young suckers, serrate,
very rough above and quite soft-downy beneath; leaves on the old trees
almost without lobes; bark tough and fibrous. Flowers in catkins,
greenish; in spring. Fruit club-shaped, dark scarlet, sweet and insipid;
ripe in August. Small cultivated tree, 10 to 35 ft. high, hardy north to
New York; remarkable for the great variety in the forms of its leaves on
the young trees.
ORDER =XXXVII. PLATANACEAE.=
(PLANE-TREE FAMILY.)
A very small order, containing but one genus:
GENUS =80. PLATANUS.=
Trees with alternate, simple, large, palmately lobed leaves. The base of
the petiole is hollowed to cover the bud. Flowers inconspicuous; in
early spring. Fruit a large, dry ball, hanging on a long peduncle, and
remaining on the tree through the winter. Large tree with white bark
separating into thin, brittle plates.
[Illustration: P. occidentalis.]
1. =Platanus occidentalis=, L. (AMERICAN SYCAMORE. BUTTONWOOD.) Leaves
large (6 to 10 in. broad), roundish heart-shaped, angularly
sinuate-lobed, the short lobes sharp-pointed, scurfy-downy till old.
Fruit globular, solitary, 1 in. in diameter, hanging on long, 4-in.
peduncles; remaining on the tree through the winter. A large, well-known
tree, 80 to 100 ft. high; found on river-banks throughout; also
cultivated. Wood brownish, coarse-grained; it cannot be split, and is
very difficult to smooth. The marking of the grain on the quartered
lumber is very beautiful.
[Illustration: P. orientalis.]
2. =Platanus orientalis=, L. (ORIENTAL PLANE.) Leaves more deeply cut,
smaller, and sooner smooth than those of the American Sycamore. Fruit
frequently clustered on the peduncles. This tree is similar to the
American Sycamore, and in many ways better for cultivation.
ORDER =XXXVIII. JUGLANDACEAE.=
(WALNUT FAMILY.)
A small order of useful nut-and timber-trees.
GENUS =81. JUGLANS.=
Trees with alternate, odd-pinnate leaves, of 5 to 17 leaflets, with 2 to
4 axillary buds, the uppermost the largest. Flowers inconspicuous, the
sterile ones in catkins. May. Fruit a large, bony, edible nut surrounded
by a husk that has no regular dehiscence. The nut, as in the genus
Carya, has a bony partition between the halves of the kernel.
* Leaflets 13 to 17, strongly serrate; husk of the fruit not
separating from the very rough, bony nut; native. (=A.=)
=A.= Upper axillary bud cylindrical, whitish with hairs; nut
elongated 1.
=A.= Upper axillary bud ovate, pointed; nut globular 2.
* Leaflets 5 to 9; husk of the fruit separating when dry from the
smoothish, thin-shelled nut; cultivated 3.
[Illustration: J. cinerea.]
1. =Juglans cinerea=, L. (BUTTERNUT. WHITE WALNUT.) Leaflets 11 to 17,
lanceolate, rounded at base, serrate with shallow teeth; downy,
especially beneath; leafstalk sticky or gummy. Buds oblong,
white-to-mentose. Fruit oblong, clammy, pointed. A thick-shelled nut,
deeply sculptured and rough with ragged ridges; ripe in September. A
widely spreading, flat-topped tree, 30 to 70 ft. high, with gray bark
and much lighter-colored wood than that of the Juglans nigra.
[Illustration: J. nigra.]
2. =Juglans nigra=, L. (BLACK WALNUT.) Leaflets 13 to 21,
lanceolate-ovate, taper-pointed, somewhat heart-shaped and oblique at
base, smooth above and very slightly downy beneath. Fruit globular,
roughly dotted; the thick-shelled nut very rough; ripe in October. A
large handsome tree, 50 to 120 ft. high, with brown bark; more common
west than east of the Alleghanies; often planted. Wood dark
purplish-brown.
[Illustration: J. regia.]
3. =Juglans regia=, L. (MADEIRA NUT. ENGLISH WALNUT.) Leaflets 5 to 9,
oval, smooth, obscurely serrate. Fruit oval, with a thin-shelled oval
nut not nearly so rough as that of Juglans cinerea, or of Juglans nigra.
When ripe the husk becomes very brittle and breaks open to let out the
nut. Tree intermediate in size, 40 to 60 ft. high, hardy as far north as
Boston in the East, but needs protection at St. Louis. It should be more
extensively cultivated. Introduced from Persia.
GENUS =82. CARYA.=
Hard-wooded trees with alternate, odd-pinnate leaves having
straight-veined leaflets. The leaflets are opposite each other, and the
terminal pair and end leaflet are usually much the largest. The sterile
flowers are in hanging catkins, the fertile ones minute, forming a
large, rounded, green-coated, dry drupe, with a roughened nut having a
bony partition. The drupes hang on till frost, when they open more or
less and usually allow the nut to drop out. Wood hard and tough.
* Bark shaggy and scaly; kernel very good. (=A.=)
=A.= Leaflets usually 5 (5 to 7) 1.
=A.= Leaflets 7 to 9 2.
* Bark rough, deeply furrowed but not shaggy; kernel edible.
(=B.=)
=B.= Leaflets 7 to 9, usually 7 3.
=B.= Leaflets 5 to 7, usually 5 4.
* Bark smooth; kernel bitter. (=C.=)
=C.= Leaflets 5 to 7, usually 7, smooth 5.
=C.= Leaflets 7 to 11, serrate with deep teeth 6.
* Bark smooth; nut thin-shelled; kernel sweet; leaflets 13 to 15 7.
[Illustration: C. alba.]
1. =Carya alba=, Nutt. (SHELLBARK OR SHAGBARK HICKORY.) Leaflets 5, the
lower pair much smaller, all oblong-lanceolate, taper-pointed, finely
serrate, downy beneath when young. Fruit globular, depressed at the top,
splitting readily into 4 wholly separate valves. Nut white, sweet,
compressed, 4-angled. Husk quite thin for the Hickories. Tree 70 to 90
ft. high, with very shaggy bark, even on quite small trees. Wild
throughout, and cultivated.
[Illustration: C. sulcata.]
2. =Carya sulcata=, Nutt. (BIG SHELLBARK. KINGNUT.) Leaflets 7 to 9,
obovate-acuminate, sharply serrate, the odd one attenuate at base and
nearly sessile; downy beneath (more so than Carya alba). Fruit large,
oval, 4-ribbed above the middle, with 4 intervening depressions. Husk
very thick, entirely separating into 4 valves. Nut large, 1 1/4 to 2 in.
long, dull-whitish, thick-shelled, usually strongly pointed at both
ends. Kernel sweet and good. Tree 60 to 90 ft. high, with a shaggy bark
of loose, narrow strips on large trees. Quite common west of the
Alleghanies.
[Illustration: C. tomentosa.]
3. =Carya tomentosa=, Nutt. (MOCKERNUT. WHITE-HEART HICKORY.) Leaflets 7
to 9 (mostly 7), lance-obovate, pointed, obscurely serrate or almost
entire, the lower surface as well as the twigs and the catkins tomentose
when young. Fruit globular or ovoid, usually with a very hard, thick
husk slightly united at base. Nut somewhat hexagonal, with a very thick
shell and well-flavored kernel. A tall, slender tree, 60 to 100 ft.
high, with a rough deeply furrowed, but not shaggy bark. Common on dry
hillsides throughout.
[Illustration: C. microcarpa.]
4. =Carya microcarpa=, Nutt. (SMALL MOCKERNUT.) Leaflets about 5 (5 to
7), oblong-lanceolate, long-pointed, finely serrate, smooth, glandular
beneath; buds small, ovate. Fruit small, subglobose, with a thin husk;
nut not sharply angled, with a thin shell; edible. A large tree, 70 to
90 ft. high; New York, Pennsylvania, and westward.
[Illustration: C. porcina.]
5. =Carya porcina=, Nutt. (PIGNUT. BROOM-HICKORY.) Leaflets 5 to 7
(usually 7), oblong-ovate, acuminate, serrate, smooth. Fruit pear-shaped
to oval, somewhat rough, splitting regularly only about half-way. Nut
large (1 1/2 to 2 in. long), brownish, somewhat obcordate, with a thick,
hard shell, and poor, bitter kernel. Tall tree, 70 to 80 ft. high, with
dark-colored heart-wood, and rather smooth bark. Common on ridges.
[Illustration: C. amara.]
6. =Carya amara=, Nutt. (BITTERNUT. SWAMP-HICKORY.) Leaflets 7 to 11,
lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, serrate with deep teeth. Fruit
roundish-ovate, regularly separable only half-way, but friable at
maturity. Nut small, white, subglobose, with a very thin shell and an
extremely bitter kernel. Large tree with orange-yellow winter buds, and
firm, not scaly, bark. Wild throughout, and sometimes cultivated.
[Illustration: C. olivaeformis.]
7. =Carya olivaeformis=, Nutt. (PECAN-NUT.) Leaflets 13 to 15,
ovate-lanceolate, serrate; lateral ones nearly sessile and decidedly
curved. Fruit oblong, widest above the middle, with 4 distinct valves.
Nut oblong, 1 1/4 in., nearer smooth than the other edible Hickory-nuts,
the shell thin, but rather too hard to be broken by the fingers. The
kernel is full, sweet, and good. A tall tree, 80 to 90 ft. high. Indiana
and south; also cultivated, but not very successfully, as far north as
New York City.
ORDER =XXXIX. CUPULIFERAE.= (OAK FAMILY.)
This order contains more species of trees and shrubs in temperate
regions than any other, except the Coniferae. The genus Quercus (Oak)
alone contains about 20 species of trees in the region covered by this
work.
GENUS =83. BETULA.=
Trees or shrubs with simple, alternate, mostly straight-veined, thin,
usually serrate leaves. Flowers in catkins, opening in early spring, in
most cases before the leaves. Fruit a leafy-scaled catkin or cone,
hanging on till autumn. Twigs usually slender, the bark peeling off in
thin, tough layers, and having peculiar horizontal marks. Many species
have aromatic leaves and twigs.
* Trunks with chalky white bark. (=A.=)
=A.= Native. (=B.=)
=B.= Small tree with leafstalks about 1/2 as long as the blades 1.
=B.= Large tree; leafstalks about 1/3 as long as the blades 2.
=A.= Cultivated; from Europe; many varieties 3.
* Bark not chalky white, usually dark. (=C.=)
=C.= Leaves and bark very aromatic. (=D.=)
=D.= Bark of trunk yellowish and splitting into filmy layers 5.
=D.= Bark not splitting into filmy layers 4.
=C.= Leaves not very aromatic; bark brownish and loose and
shaggy on the main trunk; growing in or near the water 6.
[Illustration: B. populifolia.]
1. =Betula populifolia=, Ait. (AMERICAN WHITE OR GRAY BIRCH.) Leaves
triangular, very taper-pointed, and usually truncate or nearly so at the
broad base, irregularly twice-serrate; both sides smooth and shining,
when young glutinous with resinous glands; leafstalks half as long as
the blades and slender, so as to make the leaves tremulous, like those
of the Aspen. Fruit brown, cylindrical, more or less pendulous on
slender peduncles. A small (15 to 30 ft. high), slender tree with an
ascending rather than an erect trunk. Bark chalky or grayish white, with
triangular dusky spaces below the branches; recent shoots brown, closely
covered with round dots.
[Illustration: B. papyrifera.]
2. =Betula papyrifera=, Marsh. (PAPER OR CANOE BIRCH.) Leaves 2 to 4 in.
long, ovate, taper-pointed, heart-shaped, abrupt or sometimes
wedge-shaped at the base, sharply and doubly serrate, smooth and green
above, roughly reticulated, glandular-dotted and slightly hairy beneath;
footstalk not over 1/3 the length of the blade. Fruit long-stalked and
drooping. A large tree, 60 to 75 ft. high, with white bark splitting
freely into very thin, tough layers. A variety, 5 to 10 ft. high (var.
_minor_), occurs only in the White Mountains. Young shoots reddish or
purplish olive-green deepening to a dark copper bronze. New England and
westward, also cultivated.
[Illustration: B. alba.]
3. =Betula alba=, L. (EUROPEAN WHITE BIRCH.) Leaves ovate, acute,
somewhat deltoid, unequally serrate, often deeply cut, nearly smooth; in
var. _pubescens_ covered with white hairs. Fruit brown, cylindric,
drooping. A tree, 30 to 60 ft. high, with a chalky-white bark; from
Europe, extensively cultivated in this country, under many names, which
indicate the character of growth or foliage; among them may be mentioned
_pendula_ (weeping), _laciniata_ (cut-leaved), _fastigiata_ (pyramidal),
_atropurpurea_ (purple-leaved), and _pubescens_ (hairy-leaved).
[Illustration: B. lenta.]
4. =Betula lenta=, L. (SWEET, BLACK OR CHERRY BIRCH.) Leaves and bark
very sweet, aromatic. Leaves ovate or ovate-oblong, with more or less
heart-shaped base, very acute apex, and doubly and finely serrate
margin, bright shining green above, smooth beneath, except the veins,
which are hairy. Fruit 1 to 1 1/4 in. long, cylindric, with spreading
lobes to the scales. A rather large tree, 50 to 70 ft. high, with bark of
trunk and twigs in appearance much like that of the garden Cherry, and
not splitting into as thin layers as most of the Birches. Wood
rose-colored, fine-grained. Moist woods, rather common throughout; also
cultivated.
[Illustration: B. lutea.]
5. =Betula lutea=, Michx. f. (YELLOW OR GRAY BIRCH.) A species so like
the preceding (Betula lenta) as to be best described by stating the
differences. Leaves and bark are much less aromatic. Leaves 3 to 5 in.
long, not so often nor so plainly heart-shaped at base, usually
narrowed; less bright green above, and more downy beneath; more coarsely
serrate. Fruit not so long, and more ovate, with much larger and thinner
scales, the lobes hardly spreading. A large tree, 50 to 90 ft. high,
with yellowish or silvery-gray bark peeling off into very thin, filmy
layers from the trunk. Wood whiter, and not so useful. Rich, moist
woodlands, especially northward; also cultivated.
[Illustration: B. nigra.]
6. =Betula nigra=, L. (RIVER OR RED BIRCH.) Leaves 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 in.
long, rhombic-ovate, acute at both ends, distinctly doubly serrate,
bright green above; glaucous beneath when young; on petioles only 1/6
their length. Twigs brown to cinnamon-color, and downy when young. A
medium-sized tree, 30 to 50 ft. high, usually growing on the edges of
streams, the old trunks having a very shaggy, loose, torn, reddish-brown
bark. Wild in Massachusetts, south and west; often cultivated.
GENUS =84. ALNUS.=
Shrubs or small trees with deciduous, alternate, simple, straight-veined
leaves with large stipules that remain most of the season. Flowers in
catkins. Fruit a small, scaly, open, woody cone, remaining on the plant
throughout the year.
* Native species; growing in wet places. (=A.=)
=A.= Leaves rounded at base; whitened beneath; found north of
41 deg. N. Lat 1.
=A.= Leaves acute or tapering at base; southward. (=B.=)
=B.= Flowering in the spring 2.
=B.= Flowering in the autumn 3.
* Cultivated species; from Europe; will grow in dry places 4, 5.
[Illustration: A. incana.]
1. =Alnus incana=, Willd. (SPECKLED OR HOARY ALDER.) Leaves 3 to 5 in.
long, broadly oval or ovate, rounded at base, sharply serrate, often
coarsely toothed, whitened and mostly downy beneath; stipules lanceolate
and soon falling. Fruit orbicular or nearly so. A shrub or small tree, 8
to 20 ft. high, with the bark of the trunk a polished reddish green;
common along water-courses north of 41 deg. N. Lat.; sometimes cultivated.
[Illustration: A. serrulata.]
2. =Alnus serrulata=, Willd. (SMOOTH ALDER.) Leaves 2 to 4 1/2 in. long,
thickish, obovate, acute at base, sharply and finely serrate, green both
sides, smooth or often downy beneath; stipules yellowish green, oval,
and falling after 2 or 3 leaves have expanded above them. Fruit ovate.
Rather a shrub than a tree, 6 to 12 ft. high, common along streams south
of 41 deg. N. Lat. In the Southern States it sometimes forms a tree 30 ft.
high.
[Illustration: A. maritima.]
3. =Alnus maritima=, Muhl. (SEASIDE ALDER.) Smooth; leaves oblong-ovate
to obovate, with a tapering base, sharply serrulate; petiole slender;
color bright green, somewhat rusty beneath. Flowering in the autumn.
Fruiting catkin large, 3/4 to 1 in. long, 1/2 in. thick, usually solitary,
ovoid to oblong. A small tree, 15 to 25 ft. high. Southern Delaware and
eastern Maryland, near the coast.
[Illustration: A. glutinosa.]
4. =Alnus glutinosa=, L. (EUROPEAN ALDER.) Leaves roundish,
wedge-shaped, wavy-serrated, usually abrupt at tip, glutinous; sharply
and deeply incised in some varieties. Fruit oval, 1/2 in. long. A
medium-sized tree, 25 to 60 ft. high, of rapid growth, often cultivated
under several names; the most important being vars. _laciniata_
(cut-leaved), _quercifolia_ (oak-leaved), and _rubrinervis_
(red-leaved).
[Illustration: A. cordifolia.]
5. =Alnus cordifolia=, Ten. (HEART-LEAVED ALDER.) Leaves heart-shaped,
dark green and shining. Flowers greenish-brown, blooming in March and
April, before the leaves expand. A large and very handsome Alder, 15 to
20 ft. high, growing in much dryer soil than the American species.
Cultivated from southern Europe. Hardy after it gets a good start, but
often winter-killed when young.
GENUS =85. CORYLUS.=
Low trees and large shrubs with simple, alternate, deciduous, doubly
serrate, straight-veined leaves. Flowers insignificant, in catkins in
early spring. Fruit an ovoid-oblong bony nut, inclosed in a thickish
involucre of two leaves with a lacerated frilled border; ripe in autumn.
* Leafy bracts of fruit forming a bottle-shaped involucre 2.
* Leafy bracts not bottle-shaped. (=A.=)
=A.= Involucre much longer than the nut 1.
=A.= Involucre but little longer than the nut 3.
[Illustration: C. Americana.]
1. =Corylus Americana=, Walt. (WILD HAZELNUT.) Leaves roundish
heart-shaped, pointed, doubly serrate; stipules broad at base, acute,
and sometimes cut-toothed; twigs and shoots often hairy. Involucre of
the fruit open to the globose nut, the two leaf-like bracts very much
cut-toothed at the margin and thick and leathery at the base. Merely a
shrub, 5 to 6 ft. high; quite common throughout.
[Illustration: C. rostrata.]
2. =Corylus rostrata=, Ait. (BEAKED HAZELNUT.) Leaves but little or not
at all heart-shaped; stipules linear-lanceolate. The involucre,
extending beyond the nut in a bract like a bottle, is covered with
stiff, short hairs. Shrub, 4 to 5 ft. high. Wild in the same region as
Corylus Americana, but not so abundant.
[Illustration: C. Avellana.]
3. =Corylus Avellana=, L. (EUROPEAN HAZEL. FILBERT.) Leaves
roundish-cordate, pointed, doubly serrate, nearly sessile, with
ovate-oblong, obtuse stipules; shoots bristly. Involucre of the fruit
not much larger than the large nut (1 in.), and deeply cleft. A small
tree or shrub, 6 to 12 ft. high, from Europe; several varieties in
cultivation.
GENUS =86. OSTRYA.=
Slender trees with very hard wood, brownish, furrowed bark, and
deciduous, alternate, simple, exstipulate, straight-veined leaves.
Flowers inconspicuous, in catkins. Fruit hop-like in appearance, at the
ends of side shoots of the season, hanging on through the autumn.
[Illustration: O. Virginica.]
1. =Ostrya Virginica=, Willd. (IRON-WOOD. AMERICAN HOP-HORNBEAM.) Leaves
oblong-ovate, taper-pointed, very sharply doubly serrate, downy beneath,
with 11 to 15 straight veins on each side of the midrib; buds acute. The
hop-like fruit 2 to 3 times as long as wide; full grown and pendulous, 1
to 3 in. long, in August, when it adds greatly to the beauty of the
tree. A small, rather slender tree, 30 to 50 ft. high, with the bark on
old trees somewhat furrowed; wood white and very hard and heavy; common
in rich woods, and occasionally cultivated.
[Illustration: O. vulgaris.]
2. =Ostrya vulgaris=, Willd. (EUROPEAN HOP-HORNBEAM.) This species from
Europe is much like the American one, but has longer, more slender, more
pendulous fruit-clusters. Occasionally cultivated.
GENUS =87. CARPINUS.=
Trees or tall shrubs with alternate, simple, straight-veined leaves, and
smooth and close gray bark. Flowers in drooping catkins, the sterile
flowers in dense cylindric ones, and the fertile flowers in a loose
terminal one forming an elongated, leafy-bracted cluster with many,
several-grooved, small nuts, hanging on the tree till late in the
autumn.
[Illustration: C. Caroliniana.]
1. =Carpinus Caroliniana=, Walt. (AMERICAN HORNBEAM. BLUE OR WATER
BEECH.) Leaves ovate-oblong, pointed, sharply doubly serrate, soon
nearly smooth. Fruit with the scales obliquely halberd-shaped and
cut-toothed, 3/4 in. long, nuts 1/8 in. long. A tree or tall shrub, 10 to
25 ft. high, with a peculiarly ridged trunk; the close, smooth gray bark
and the leaves are much like those of the Beech. The wood is very hard
and whitish. Common along streams; sometimes cultivated.
[Illustration: C. Betulus.]
2. =Carpinus Betulus=, L. (EUROPEAN HORNBEAM.) This cultivated species
is quite similar to the American, but can be distinguished by the scales
of the fruit, which are wholly halberd-shaped, having the basal lobes
nearly equal in size, as shown in the cut; while the American species
has scales only half halberd-shaped.
GENUS =88. QUERCUS.=
Large trees to shrubs, with simple, alternate, deciduous or evergreen,
entire to deeply lobed leaves. The leaves are rather thick and woody,
and remain on the tree either all winter or at least until nearly all
other deciduous leaves have fallen. Flowers insignificant; the staminate
ones in catkins; blooming in spring. Fruit an acorn, which in the White,
Chestnut, and Live Oaks matures the same year the blossoms appear; while
in the Red, Black, and Willow Oaks the acorns mature the second year.
They remain on the tree until late in autumn. The Oaks, because of their
large tap-roots, can be transplanted only when small. Most of the
species are in cultivation. The species are very closely related, and a
number of them quite readily hybridize; this is especially true of those
of a particular group, as the White Oaks, Black Oaks, etc.
There is no attempt in the Key to characterize the hybrids, of which
some are quite extensively distributed. _Quercus heterophylla_, Michx.
(Bartram's Oak), supposed to be a hybrid between _Quercus Phellos_ and
_Quercus rubra_, is found quite frequently from Staten Island southward
to North Carolina.
* Cultivated Oaks from the Old World; bark rough; leaves more or
less sinuated or lobed. (=A.=)
=A.= Acorn cup not bristly 20.
=A.= Acorn cup more or less bristly 21.
* Wild species, occasionally cultivated. (=B.=)
=B.= Leaves entire or almost entire, or merely 3- (rarely 5-)
lobed at the enlarged summit. (=C.=)
=C.= Ends about equal, petioles very short. (=D.=)
=D.= Leaves small (2 to 4 in. long), evergreen, bark
smooth, black (Live-oaks) 10.
=D.= Leaves not evergreen in the North, somewhat awned
when young, bark very smooth, black and never cracked
(Willow-oaks). (=E.=)
=E.= Down on the under side quite persistent 18.
=E.= Under side soon smooth 19.
=C.= Widened near the tip, somewhat obovate and the end
usually 3-lobed; bark quite black, smooth or furrowed,
but never scaly (Black-oaks). (=F.=)
=F.= Leaves acute at base 16.
=F.= Leaves abrupt or cordate at base 17.
=B.= Leaves distinctly straight-veined, sinuate rather than
lobed, the teeth generally rounded and never awned; bark
white, rough and scaling (Chestnut-oaks). (=G.=)
=G.= Lobes rounded 5, 6, 7.
=G.= Lobes rather acute 8, 9.
=B.= Leaves coarsely lobed, the lobes usually rounded, never
awned; bark white or whitish-brown, cracking and scaling
off in thin laminae (White Oaks). (=H.=)
=H.= Leaves crowded at the ends of the branchlets 4.
=H.= Leaves not crowded 1, 2, 3.
=B.= Leaves more or less lobed, the lobes and teeth acute and
bristle-pointed; petiole slender; base rather abrupt; bark
dark-colored, smooth or furrowed, but never scaly (Red
Oaks). (=I.=)
=I.= Leaves smooth both sides, at least when mature 11, 12, 13.
=I.= Leaves soft-downy beneath 14, 15.
[Illustration: Q. alba.]
1. =Quercus alba=, L. (AMERICAN WHITE OAK.) Leaves short-stemmed, acute
at base, with 3 to 9 oblong, obtuse, usually entire, oblique lobes, very
persistent, many remaining on the tree through the winter; pubescent
when young, soon smooth, bright green above. Acorns in the axils of the
leaves of the year, ovoid-oblong, 1 in., in a shallow, rough cup, often
sweet and edible. A large tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, with stem often 6 ft.
in diameter; wood light-colored, hard, tough and very useful. Common
throughout.
[Illustration: Q. stellata]
2. =Quercus stellata=, Wang. (POST-OAK. ROUGH OR BOX WHITE OAK.) Leaves
4 to 6 in. long, sinuately cut into 5 to 7 roundish, divergent lobes,
the upper ones much larger and often 1- to 3-notched, grayish-or
yellowish-downy beneath, and pale and rough above. Acorn ovoid, about
1/2 in. long, one third to one half inclosed in a deep, saucer-shaped
cup; in the axils of the leaves of the year. A medium-sized tree, 40 to
50 ft. high, with very hard, durable wood, resembling that of the White
Oak. Massachusetts, south and west.
[Illustration: Q. macrocarpa.]
3. =Quercus macrocarpa=, Michx. (BUR-OAK. MOSSY-CUP.) Leaves obovate or
oblong, lyrately pinnatifid or deeply sinuate-lobed or nearly parted,
the lobes sparingly and obtusely toothed or entire. Acorn broadly ovoid,
1 in. or more long, one half to almost entirely inclosed in a thick and
woody cup with usually a mossy fringed border formed of the upper awned
scales; cup very variable in size, 3/4 to 2 in. across. A handsome,
middle-sized tree, 40 to 60 ft. high. Western New England to Wisconsin,
and southwestward.
[Illustration: Q. lyrata.]
4. =Quercus lyrata=, Walt. (SWAMP POST-OAK.) Leaves crowded at the ends
of the branchlets, very variable, obovate-oblong, more or less deeply 7-
to 9-lobed, white-to-mentose beneath when young, becoming smoothish; the
lobes triangular to oblong, acute or obtuse, entire or sparingly
toothed. Acorn about 3/4 in. long, nearly covered by the round, ovate,
thin, rugged, scaly cup. A large tree with pale flaky bark. River-swamps
in southern Indiana to Wisconsin, and southward.
[Illustration: Q. bicolor.]
5. =Quercus bicolor=, Willd. (SWAMP WHITE OAK.) Leaves obovate or
oblong-obovate, wedge-shaped at base, coarsely sinuate-crenate, and
often rather pinnatifid than toothed, whitish, soft-downy beneath. Main
primary veins 6 to 8 pairs. Acorns, nearly 1 in., oblong-ovoid, set in a
shallow cup often mossy fringed at the margin, on a peduncle about as
long as the acorn, much longer than the petioles of the leaves; in the
axils of the leaves of the year. A large tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, stem 5
to 8 ft. in diameter. Most common in the Northern and Western States, in
swamps, but found in moist soil in the mountains of the South.
[Illustration: Q. Michauxii.]
6. =Quercus Michauxii=, Nutt. (BASKET-OAK or COW-OAK.) Leaves 5 to 6 in.
long, oval to obovate, acute, obtuse, or even cordate at base, regularly
but usually not deeply sinuate, rather rigid, usually very tomentose
beneath. Acorn large, 1-1/3 in. long, sweet and edible; cup shallow and
roughened with coarse, acute scales; no fringe. A large and valuable Oak
with gray and flaky bark.
[Illustration: Q. Prinus]
7. =Quercus Prinus=, L. (CHESTNUT-OAK.) Leaves obovate or oblong,
coarsely undulately toothed, with 10 to 16 pairs of straight, prominent
ribs beneath; surface minutely downy beneath, and smooth above. Acorn
ovoid, 1 in. long, covered nearly half-way with a thick, mostly
tuberculated cup; in the axils of the leaves of the year; kernel
sweetish and edible. A middle-sized or small tree, with reddish,
coarse-grained wood. Found throughout, but common only southward.
[Illustration: Q. Muhlenbergii.]
8. =Quercus Muhlenbergii=, Engelm. (YELLOW CHESTNUT-OAK.) Leaves usually
thin, 5 to 7 in. long, 1 1/2 to 2 in. broad, oblong-lanceolate, rather
sharply notched, mostly obtuse or roundish at base, sometimes broadly
ovate or obovate, and two thirds as wide as long. The leaves are usually
more like those of the Chestnut than any other Oak; the primary veins
very straight, impressed above, prominent beneath. Acorn 2/3 to 3/4 in.
long, inclosed in a thin, hemispherical cup with small, appressed
scales. A middle-sized tree with flaky, pale, thin, ash-colored bark,
and tough, very durable, yellowish or brownish wood. Western New
England, westward and south.
[Illustration: Q. prinoides.]
9. =Quercus prinoides=, Willd. (DWARF CHESTNUT-OAK.) Much like the last,
but generally grows only 2 to 4 ft. high in the Eastern States. The
leaves are more wavy-toothed, on shorter stems. It seems to be only a
variety of Quercus Muhlenbergii, especially in the West, where it grows
much taller and runs into that species.
[Illustration: Q. virens.]
10. =Quercus virens=, Ait. (LIVE-OAK.) Leaves thick, evergreen, 2 to 4
in. long, oblong, obtuse, and somewhat wrinkled; smooth and shining
above, hairy beneath, the margin revolute, usually quite entire, rarely
spiny-toothed. Acorns pedunculate, 1 to 3 in a cluster, oblong-ovate,
with top-shaped nut. A mere shrub to a large tree, with yellowish wood
of excellent grain and durability. Virginia and south.
[Illustration: Q. rubra.]
11. =Quercus rubra, L.= (RED OAK.) Leaves rather thin, smooth, oblong,
moderately pinnatifid, sometimes deeply so, into 8 to 12 entire or
sharply toothed lobes, turning dark red after frost. Acorn oblong-ovoid,
1 in. or less long, set in a shallow cup of fine scales, with a narrow
raised border, 3/4 to 1 in. in diameter; sessile or nearly so. A large
tree, 60 to 90 ft. high, with reddish, very coarse-grained wood. Common
throughout.
[Illustration: Q. coccinea.]
12. =Quercus coccinea=, Wang. (SCARLET OAK.) Leaves, in the ordinary
form on large trees, bright green, shining above, turning red in autumn,
oval or oblong, deeply pinnatifid, the 6 to 8 lobes divergent, and
sparingly cut-toothed, notches rounded. Acorn 1/2 to 3/4 in. long,
roundish, depressed, one half or a little more inclosed in a top-shaped,
coarsely scaled cup; in the axils of the leaf-scars of the preceding
year. A large handsome tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, with grayish bark not
deeply furrowed, interior reddish; coarse-grained reddish wood. Moist or
dry soil. Common.
[Illustration: Var. tinctoria.]
Var. _tinctoria_. (Quercitron. Yellow-barked or Black Oak.) Leaves,
especially on young trees, often less deeply pinnatifid, sometimes
barely sinuate. Foliage much like that of Quercus rubra. Acorn nearly
round, 1/2 to 2/3 in. long, set in a rather deep, conspicuously scaly cup.
Bark of trunk thicker, rougher, darker-colored and with the inner color
orange. Rich and poor soil. Abundant east, but rare west.
[Illustration: Q. palustris.]
13. =Quercus palustris=, Du Roi. (SWAMP, SPANISH, OR PIN OAK.) Leaves
oblong, deeply pinnatifid, with divergent, sharply toothed,
bristle-tipped lobes and rounded notches, and with both sides bright
green. Acorn globular, hardly 1/2 in. long, cup shallow and saucer-shaped,
almost sessile, in the axils of last year's leaf-scars. A handsome,
medium-sized tree; wood reddish, coarse-grained. In low ground. Common
throughout.
[Illustration: Q. falcata.]
14. =Quercus falcata=, Michx. (SPANISH OAK.) Leaves obtuse or roundish
at base, 3- to 5-lobed above, the lobes prolonged, mostly narrow, and
the end ones more or less scythe-shaped, bristle-tipped, entire or
sparingly cut-toothed, soft-downy beneath. Foliage very variable. Acorn
1/3 to 1/2 in. long, globose, half inclosed in the hemispherical cup;
nearly sessile. A tree, 30 to 70 ft. high, large and abundant in the
South; bark thick and excellent for tanning; wood coarse-grained, dark
brown or reddish. New Jersey, south and west.
[Illustration: Q. ilicifolia.]
15. =Quercus ilicifolia=, Wang. (BEAR OR BLACK SCRUB-OAK.) Leaves
obovate, wedge-shaped at base, angularly about 5-lobed (3 to 7),
white-downy beneath, 2 to 4 in. long, thickish, with short, triangular
bristle-tipped lobes. Acorn ovoid, globular, 1/2 in. long. A dwarfed,
straggling bush, 3 to 10 ft. high. Sandy barrens and rocky hills. New
England to Ohio, and south.
[Illustration: Q. aquatica.]
16. =Quercus aquatica=, Walt. (WATER-OAK.) Leaves thick, sub-evergreen,
obovate-wedge-shaped, smooth, tapering at the base, sometimes obscurely
3-lobed at the tip; on the seedlings and the young rapid-growing shoots
often incised or sinuate-pinnatifid, and then bristle-pointed. Acorn
small, globular-ovoid, downy, in a saucer-shaped cup, very bitter; in
the axils of leaf-scars of the previous year. A very variable tree, 30
to 40 ft. high, with smooth bark. Wet ground. Maryland, west and south.
[Illustration: Q. nigra.]
17. =Quercus nigra=, L. (BLACK OAK OR BARREN OAK.) Leaves large, 5 to 10
in. long, thick, wedge-shaped, broadly dilated above, and truncate or
slightly 3-lobed at the end, bristle-awned, smooth above, rusty-downy
beneath. Acorn oblong-ovate, 1/2 to 3/4 in. long, in the axils of the
leaves of the preceding year, one third or one half inclosed in the
top-shaped, coarse-scaled cup. A small tree, 10 to 25 ft. high, with
rough, very dark-colored bark. New York, south and west, in dry, sandy
barrens.
[Illustration: Q. imbricaria.]
18. =Quercus imbricaria=, Michx. (LAUREL-OR SHINGLE-OAK.) Leaves
lanceolate-oblong, entire, tipped with an abrupt, sharp point,
pale-downy beneath. Acorn globular, 5/8 in. long, cup with broad,
whitish, close-pressed scales, covering about one third of the nut. A
stout tree, 30 to 50 ft. high, found in barrens and open woodlands. Wood
extensively used in the West for shingles. New Jersey to Wisconsin, and
southward.
[Illustration: Q. Phellos.]
19. =Quercus Phellos=, L. (WILLOW-OAK.) Leaves 2 to 4 in. long, thick,
linear-lanceolate, narrowed at both ends, entire or very nearly so, soon
smooth, light green, bristle-tipped, willow-like, scurfy when young.
Acorns about sessile, globular, small (1/2 in.), in a shallow saucer
shaped cup; on the old wood. Tree 30 to 50 ft. high, with smooth, thick
bark, and reddish, coarse-grained wood, of little value. Borders of
swamps, New Jersey, south and west; also cultivated.
[Illustration: Q. Robur.]
20. =Quercus Robur=, L. (ENGLISH OAK.) Leaves on short footstalks,
oblong, smooth, dilated upward, sinuately lobed, hardly pinnatifid.
Acorns in the axils of the leaves of the year, ovate-oblong, over 1 in.,
about one third inclosed in the hemispherical cup; sessile in var.
_sessiliflora_; clustered and long-peduncled in var. _pedunculata_.
Trees 50 to 100 ft. high, extensively cultivated; from Europe; the
nursery catalogues name as many as a score or more varieties.
One var., _fastigiata_ (Pyramidal Oak), is a peculiar upright tree like
the Lombardy Poplar; var. _pendula_ (Weeping Oak) has long, slender,
drooping branches.
[Illustration: Q. Cerris.]
21. =Quercus Cerris=, L. (TURKEY OAK.) Leaves on very short stalks,
oblong, deeply and unequally pinnatifid, hairy beneath; lobes
lanceolate, acute, somewhat angular. Acorns in the axils of the leaves
of the year, ovate, with a hemispherical, bristly or mossy cup. Several
varieties of this species, from Europe, are cultivated in this country.
They form tall, round-headed, symmetrical trees.
GENUS =89. CASTANEA.=
Trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, straight-veined, elongated,
pointed leaves. Sterile flowers in long, drooping, conspicuous catkins,
blooming in June or July; the fertile ones rather inconspicuous, but
forming prickly-coated burs which hang on till the frost, when they
split open and let out the brown, horny-coated nuts. Wood light,
coarse-grained.
* Large tree with burs having 1 to 3 nuts 1.
* Small tree with burs having 1 rounded nut 2.
[Illustration: C. sativa.]
1. =Castanea sativa=, Mill. (CHESTNUT.) Leaves oblong-lanceolate,
pointed, coarsely serrate, with usually awned teeth; smooth on both
sides, 6 to 9 in. long, 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 in. wide. Burs large, very prickly,
inclosing 1 to 3 large, ovoid, brown nuts, ripe after frost, which opens
the bur into 4 valves. A common large tree, with light, coarse-grained
wood, and bark having coarse longitudinal ridges on the old trees. Many
varieties of this species are in cultivation, varying in the size and
sweetness of the nuts, the size of the trees, and the size and the
margins of the leaves, some of which are almost entire. The wild species
is var. _Americana_.
[Illustration: C. pumila.]
2. =Castanea pumila=, Mill. (CHINQUAPIN.) Leaves lance-oblong, strongly
straight-veined, coarsely serrate, usually with awned tips;
whitish-downy beneath, 3 to 5 in. long, 1 1/4 to 2 in. wide. Bur small,
prickly, with a single small, rounded, sweet, chestnut-colored nut. A
handsome small tree, or in the wild state usually a shrub, 6 to 40 ft.
high. Central New Jersey, southern Ohio and southward, and cultivated
successfully as far north as New York City.
GENUS =90. FAGUS.=
Trees with alternate, strongly straight-veined, almost entire to deeply
pinnatifid leaves. Flowers inconspicuous, appearing with the leaves.
Fruit a prickly bur, inclosing 2 triangular, sharp-ridged nuts, the bur
hanging on the trees during the greater part of the winter. Leaf-buds
very elongated, slender, sharp-pointed.
* The straight veins all ending in the teeth; native 1.
* Margin varying from entire to deeply pinnatifid, the straight
veins occasionally ending in the notches 2.
[Illustration: F. ferruginea.]
1. =Fagus ferruginea=, Ait. (AMERICAN BEECH.) Leaves thin, oblong-ovate,
taper-pointed, distinctly and often coarsely toothed; petioles and
midrib ciliate with soft silky hairs when young, soon almost naked. The
very straight veins run into the teeth. Prickles of the fruit mostly
recurved or spreading. Large tree, 60 to 100 ft. high, with
grayish-white, very smooth bark, and firm, light-colored, close-grained
wood. Wild throughout, and frequently cultivated.
[Illustration: F. sylvatica.]
2. =Fagus sylvatica=, L. (EUROPEAN BEECH.) Leaves often similar to those
of the American Beech, but usually shorter and broader; the border,
often nearly entire, is wavy in some varieties, and in others deeply
pinnatifid. The bark in most varieties is darker than in the American.
This Beech, with its numerous varieties, is the one usually cultivated.
Among the most useful varieties are _atropurpurea_ (Purple Beech), with
the darkest foliage of any deciduous tree, and almost entire-margined
leaves; _laciniata_ (Cut-leaved Beech), with very deeply cut leaves; and
_argentea variegata_ (Silver Variegated Beech), having in the spring
quite distinctly variegated leaves.
ORDER =XL. SALICACEAE.= (WILLOW FAMILY.)
A small order of soft-wooded trees and shrubs, abundantly distributed in
the northern temperate and frigid zones.
GENUS =91. SALIX.=
Soft-wooded trees or shrubs growing in damp places, with alternate,
usually quite elongated, pointed, deciduous leaves, without lobes.
Stipules often large, leaf-like, and more or less persistent through the
summer; sometimes scale-like and dropping early. The stipules are always
free from the leafstalk and attached to the twig at small spots just
below the leafstalk. Even if the stipules have dropped off, the small
scars remain. Flowers staminate and pistillate on separate trees
(dioecious), in elongated catkins in early spring. Fruit consists of
catkins of small pods with numerous seeds having silky down at one end.
The seeds usually drop early. Among the Willows there are so many
hybrids and peculiar varieties as to render their study difficult, and
their classification, in some cases, impossible. The following Key will
probably enable the student to determine most specimens. No attempt has
been made to include all the cultivated forms.
* Spray decidedly weeping 5.
* Spray not decidedly weeping. (=A.=)
=A.= Rather small Willows, 10 to 30 ft. high, with broad
leaves, usually not over twice as long as wide;
cultivated. (=B.=)
=B.= Leaves glossy dark green on the upper side,
taper-pointed 7.
=B.= Leaves with white cottony hairs beneath 10.
=B.= Leaves rough-veiny beneath 13.
=A.= Rather large Willows, 12 to 80 ft. high, with the
bark of the trunk very rough; leaves more elongated.
(=C.=)
=C.= Petioles of the leaves not glandular; tree 10 to
40 ft. high. (=D.=)
=D.= Leaves green on both sides when mature 1.
=D.= Leaves glaucous beneath 2.
=C.= Petioles of the leaves usually glandular; tree
50 to 80 ft. high. (=E.=)
=E.= Young leaves green above and glaucous beneath 3.
=E.= Young leaves ashy gray or silvery white on both sides 4.
=A.= Small trees or almost shrubs, under 18 ft. high; bark of
trunk rather smooth. (=F.=)
=F.= Leaves ovate rather than lanceolate, sometimes truncate
or even cordate at base. (=G.=)
=G.= Leaves quite broad, shining on both sides. (=H.=)
=H.= Leaves bright green; twigs polished green 6.
=H.= Leaves very dark green, strongly fragrant when
bruised 7.
=G.= Leaves pale-downy beneath, often cordate at base 8.
=F.= Leaves usually wider near the acute or acuminate tip,
glaucous beneath. (=I.=)
=I.= Branches very twiggy; leaves often opposite; twigs
olive-color or reddish 9.
=I.= Branches not very twiggy; leaves all alternate 11, 12.
=F.= Leaves very long and slender, almost linear 14.
[Illustration: S. nigra]
1. =Salix nigra=, Marsh. (BLACK WILLOW.) Leaves narrowly lanceolate,
tapering at the ends, serrate, smooth except on the petiole and midrib,
green on both sides; stipules small (large in var. _falcata_), dentate,
dropping early. Branches very brittle at base. A small tree, 15 to 35
ft. high, with rough black bark. Common along streams, southward, but
rare in the northern range of States.
[Illustration: S. amygdaloides.]
2. =Salix amygdaloides=, Anderson. (WESTERN BLACK WILLOW.) Leaves 2 to 4
in. long, lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, attenuate-cuspidate, pale or
glaucous beneath, with long slender petioles; stipules minute and soon
falling. A small tree, 10 to 40 ft. high, from central New York
westward. It is the common Black Willow of the streams of Ohio to
Missouri.
[Illustration: S. fragilis.]
3. =Salix fragilis=, L. (BRITTLE WILLOW. CRACK-WILLOW.) Leaves
lanceolate, taper-pointed, smooth, glaucous beneath (slightly silky when
young), serrate throughout; stipules half heart-shaped, usually large.
Branches smooth and polished, very brittle at base. A tall (50 to 80 ft.
high) handsome Willow, with a bushy head and salmon-colored wood;
cultivated from Europe for basket-work, and extensively naturalized.
Many varieties, hybrids between this species and the next, are very
common. Among them may be mentioned the following:
Var. _decipiens_, with dark-brown buds; var. _Russelliana_, with more
slender, brighter, and more sharply serrate leaves, the annual shoots
silky-downy toward autumn; var. _viridis_, with tough, pendulous
branchlets, and firmer, bright green leaves.
[Illustration: S. alba.]
4. =Salix alba=, L. (WHITE WILLOW.) Leaves lanceolate or
elliptical-lanceolate, pointed, serrate, covered more or less with white
silky hairs, especially beneath; var. _caerulea_ has nearly smooth
leaves, at maturity of a bluish tint; stipules small and quite early
deciduous. Catkins of flowers long and loose, on a peduncle; stamens
usually 2; stigmas nearly sessile, thick, and recurved. May, June. A
quite large tree, 50 to 80 ft. high, with thick, rough bark, usually
having yellow twigs (var. _vitellina_); introduced from Europe and now
quite common throughout. Branches very brittle at base.
[Illustration: S. Babylonica.]
5. =Salix Babylonica=, Tourn. (WEEPING WILLOW.) Leaves
linear-lanceolate, acuminate, finely serrate, smooth, glaucous beneath;
stipules small, roundish, oblique, acuminate; branches pendulous.
A large, gracefully drooping tree, so extensively cultivated for
ornament as to seem native; from Europe.
Var. _annularis_ (Ring-leaved Willow. Curled Willow) has the leaves
coiled round into rings and spirals.
[Illustration: S. lucida.]
6. =Salix lucida=, Muehl. (SHINING OR AMERICAN BAY WILLOW.) Leaves
thickish, ovate-lanceolate, with a rounded base, a very long acuminate
point, and a glandular petiole; when mature, smooth and shining on both
sides. Twigs rather stout, polished, and dark green. Bark of trunk
smooth. Fruiting catkins quite persistent. A beautiful small tree or
shrub, 6 to 15 ft. high, of bushy form. New Jersey, north and westward.
[Illustration: S. pentandra.]
7. =Salix pentandra, L.= (LAUREL-LEAVED OR BAY WILLOW.) Leaves ovate,
taper-pointed, crenate, glandular, smooth, glossy, bright deep green on
both sides, strongly fragrant when bruised. Catkins large, fragrant,
golden-yellow, with 4 to 12 (commonly 5) stamens to each flower. June,
after the leaves are expanded. A small handsome tree, 15 to 20 ft. high,
from Europe, which should be more extensively cultivated in damp soils,
as its form, flowers, and foliage are all beautiful.
[Illustration: S. cordata. Var. rufescens.]
8. =Salix cordata, Muehl.= (HEART-LEAVED WILLOW.) Leaves lanceolate or
ovate-lanceolate, heart-shaped, truncate or sometimes acute at base,
taper-pointed, sharply serrate, smooth above, pale-downy beneath;
stipules often large, kidney-shaped, and toothed, sometimes small and
entire. Catkins appearing with or before the leaves along the sides of
the stem; stamens 2; scales dark or black, hairy, persistent. Shrub or
small tree, 8 to 20 ft. high, very common in low and wet places. Many
named varieties are found.
Var. _rigida_ has large, thick, coarse-toothed leaves; vars.
_myricoides_ and _angustata_ have narrower, finely serrate leaves,
almost or fully acute at base.
[Illustration: S. purpurea.]
9. =Salix purpurea, L.= (PURPLE WILLOW.) Leaves lanceolate, pointed,
partly opposite, minutely serrate, smooth. Twigs olive-color or
reddish. Catkins cylindric, with leafy bracts at base, and apparently 1
stamen to each flower (the filaments are united). A shrub or small tree,
3 to 12 ft. high; from Europe. In low ground; often cultivated for the
twigs, which are used in basket-making.
[Illustration: S. caprea.]
10. =Salix caprea, L.= (GOAT-WILLOW.) Leaves large, roundish, ovate,
pointed, serrate, wavy, deep green above, pale and downy with soft,
white-cottony hairs beneath; stipules somewhat crescent-shaped. Catkins
large, oval, numerous, almost sessile, blooming much before the leaves
appear, and of a showy yellow color. A moderate-sized tree, 15 to 30 ft.
high, with spreading, brown or purplish branches. Frequent in
cultivation; from Europe; growing well in dry places. The Goat-willow is
the one generally used for the stock of the artificial umbrella-formed
"Kilmarnock Willow." The growth of shoots from these stocks is rendering
the Goat-willow quite common.
[Illustration: S. rostrata.]
11. =Salix rostrata, Richards.= (BEAKED WILLOW.) Leaves oblong to
obovate-lanceolate, acute, usually obscurely toothed, sometimes crenate
or serrate, downy above, prominently veined, soft-hairy and somewhat
glaucous beneath. Twigs downy. Catkins appearing with the leaves.
Fruit-capsules tapering to a long slender beak, pedicels long and
slender. A small, tree-shaped shrub, 4 to 15 ft. high, common in both
moist and dry ground. New England, west and north.
[Illustration: S. discolor.]
12. =Salix discolor, Muehl.= (GLAUCOUS OR BOG WILLOW.) Leaves lanceolate
or ovate-lanceolate, acute, remotely serrate at the base, finely serrate
along the middle, and almost entire near the tip; smooth and bright
green above, soon smooth and somewhat glaucous beneath; stipules, on the
vigorous shoots, equaling the petiole, more frequently small and
inconspicuous. Catkins sessile, 1 in. long, appearing before the leaves
in the spring; scales dark red or brown, becoming black, covered with
long glossy hairs. Fruit in catkins, 2 1/2 in. long, the capsules very
hairy, with short but distinct style. A very variable species, common in
low meadows and on river-banks; usually a shrub, but occasionally 15 ft.
high.
[Illustration: S. cinerea.]
13. =Salix cinerea, L.= (GRAY OR ASH-COLORED WILLOW.) Leaves
obovate-lanceolate, entire to serrate; glaucous-downy and reticulated
with veins beneath; stipules half heart-shaped, serrate. Flowers yellow;
ovary silky, on a stalk half as long as the bracts. A shrub to
middle-sized tree, 10 to 30 ft. high, with an erect trunk; occasionally
cultivated; from Europe.
[Illustration: S. longifolia.]
14. =Salix longifolia=, Muehl. (LONG-LEAVED WILLOW.) Leaves
linear-lanceolate, very long, tapering at each end, nearly sessile,
remotely notched with projecting teeth, clothed with gray hairs when
young; stipules small, lanceolate, toothed. Branches brittle at base. A
shrub or small tree, 2 to 20 ft. high, common, especially westward,
along river-banks.
GENUS =92. POPULUS.=
Trees with alternate, deciduous, broad-based leaves. Flowers in long and
drooping catkins, appearing before the leaves are expanded in the
spring. Fruit small, dry pods in catkins, having seeds, coated with
cottony down, which early in the season escape and float in the wind. On
this account the trees are called Cottonwoods in the West. Trees with
light-colored, rather soft wood.
* Leaves always white-hairy underneath; more or less deeply
lobed; buds not gummy 1.
* Leaves smooth beneath, at least when old. (=A.=)
=A.= Leafstalk decidedly flattened laterally. (=B.=)
=B.= Buds not covered with sticky gum. (=C.=)
=C.= Leaves roundish heart-shaped; bark on trunk
greenish-white, 2.
=C.= Leaves large, ovate, with large, irregular,
sinuate teeth, 3.
=B.= Buds covered with aromatic, glutinous resin. (=D.=)
=D.= Tree tall, spire-shaped, 5.
=D.= Not very spire-shaped; young twigs sharply angled or
winged, leaves 6 to 10 in. long, broadly deltoid,
serrate with incurved teeth, 6.
=D.= Not spire-shaped; young twigs not angular, 7.
=A.= Leafstalk not decidedly flattened; leaf-margin crenate.
(=E.=)
=E.= Buds not glutinous; leaves white-woolly beneath when
young, 4.
=E.= Buds very glutinous; leaves large, shining green on both
sides, 8.
[Illustration: P. alba.]
1. =Populus alba=, L. (WHITE POPLAR OR ABELE TREE.) Leaves roundish,
slightly heart-shaped, wavy toothed or lobed, soon green above, very
white-cottony beneath even when old; buds without the sticky coating
common in the genus. Branches very white with down when young. Root
creeping and producing numerous suckers. A large tree, 50 to 80 ft.
high, of rapid growth, often cultivated; from Europe. Leaves and
branches very variable, forming several named varieties in the
catalogues of the nurseries.
[Illustration: P. tremuloides.]
2. =Populus tremuloides=, Michx. (QUAKING-ASP. AMERICAN ASPEN.) Leaves
roundish heart-shaped, with a short sharp point, and small, quite
regular teeth; downy when young, but soon smooth on both sides; margins
downy. Leafstalk long, slender, compressed, causing the leaves to
tremble continually in the slightest breeze. Leaf with 2 glands at the
base on the upper surface; buds varnished. A medium-sized tree, 30 to 60
ft. high; bark greenish-white outside, yellow within, quite brittle.
Common both in forests and in cultivation.
[Illustration: P. grandidentata.]
3. =Populus grandidentata=, Michx. (LARGE-TOOTHED ASPEN.) Leaves large,
3 to 5 in. long, roundish-ovate, with large, irregular, sinuate teeth;
and when young densely covered with white, silky wool, but soon becoming
smooth on both sides; leaf, when young, reddish-yellow; petiole
compressed. A large tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, with rather smoothish gray
bark. Woods; common northward, rare southward, except in the
Alleghanies. Wood soft and extensively used for paper-making.
[Illustration: P. heterophylla.]
4. =Populus heterophylla=, L. (DOWNY-LEAVED POPLAR.) Leaves heart-shaped
or roundish-ovate with small, obtuse, incurved teeth; white-woolly when
young, but soon becoming smooth on both sides except on the veins
beneath. Leafstalk slightly compressed. Shoots round, tomentose. Buds
not glutinous. A large tree, 70 to 80 ft. high, not very common; found
from western New England to Illinois, and southward.
[Illustration: P. dilatata.]
5. =Populus dilatata=, L. (LOMBARDY POPLAR.) Leaves deltoid, wider than
long, crenulated all round, both sides smooth from the first; leafstalk
compressed; buds glutinous. A tall tree, 80 to 120 ft. high; spire-like,
of rapid growth, with all the branches erect; the trunk twisted and
deeply furrowed. Frequently planted a century ago, but now quite rare in
the eastern United States. From Europe. It is thought to be a variety of
Populus nigra (No. 7).
[Illustration: P. monilifera.]
6. =Populus monilifera=, Ait. (COTTONWOOD. CAROLINA POPLAR.
NECKLACE-POPLAR.) Leaves large, broadly heart-shaped or deltoid, serrate
with cartilaginous, incurved, slightly hairy teeth. The rapid-growing
young twigs very angular and bearing very large (6 to 9 in. long)
leaves. A very large (80 to 100 ft. high) tree, common in the
Mississippi valley, but found in western New England and often planted.
[Illustration: P. nigra.]
7. =Populus nigra=, L. (BLACK POPLAR.) Leaves rather large, deltoid,
pointed, serrate with glandular teeth, smooth on both sides even when
young. Leafstalk somewhat compressed. Buds very sticky. A very variable,
large (50 to 80 ft. high), rapidly growing tree with spreading branches.
Occasionally planted. From Europe.
[Illustration: P. balsamifera.]
8. =Populus balsamifera=, L. (BALSAM-POPLAR. TACAMAHAC. BALM OF GILEAD.)
Leaves very large, ovate, gradually acuminate, sometimes heart-shaped,
finely serrate, smooth, bright green and shining on both sides;
leafstalk nearly round; leaves in spring rich yellow. Branches ridged
below the leaves; buds large and covered with very fragrant resin. A
medium-sized tree, 40 to 70 ft. high, pyramidal in form. Wild in the
North and often cultivated.
Var. _candicans_, or Balm of Gilead, has larger and more or less
heart-shaped leaves (the larger figure in the cut).
CLASS II. GYMNOSPERMAE.
Plants in which the pistil is represented by an open scale instead of a
body with a closed ovary, as in Class I.
ORDER =XLI. CONIFERAE.= (PINE FAMILY.)
As far as the number of species is concerned, this is the largest order
of trees and shrubs of temperate and cold-temperate regions. The order
is of the greatest importance, both on account of the valuable timber it
furnishes and for its resinous secretions, turpentine and resin.
GENUS =93. PINUS.= (THE PINES.)
Leaves needle-shaped, 1 to 15 in. long, almost cylindric, 2, 3, or 5
together in clusters, with a sheath, more or less persistent, at the
base. Flowers monoecious, both staminate and pistillate in catkins,
usually insignificant and unnoticeable. In spring. Fruit a cone,
persistent and formed of more or less woody, overlapping scales.
* Leaves usually 5 together in bundles. (=A.=)
=A.= Leaves 6 in. or more long, glaucous green and very
pendulous 1.
=A.= Leaves under 4 in. long. (=B.=)
=B.= Cones over 10 in. long, on stalks 3 in. long,
pendulous when ripe 2.
=B.= Cones 4 to 10 in. long. (=C.=)
=C.= Scales of cones thin, unarmed 3, 4.
=C.= Scales of cones thick and woody, obtuse, 1 in. broad 5.
=B.= Cones under 4 in. long; scales slightly hooked but
pointless 6.
* Leaves usually in threes, rarely in twos; scales of cones with
spines or prickles. (=D.=)
=D.= Scales of cones with short, rigid, straight spines;
leaves 6 to 10 in. long 7.
=D.= Scales with sharp, bent prickles. (=E.=)
=E.= Leaves over 5 in. long, sometimes 15 in. long 8, 9.
=E.= Leaves 3 to 5 in. long, rigid and flattened, from short
sheaths, 10.
* Leaves usually in twos; cones rarely over 3 in. long. (=F.=)
=F.= Leaves over 3 in. long. (=G.=)
=G.= Cone-scales with dull spines 11.
=G.= With small or minute, persistent prickles 12, 13, 14.
=G.= With no prickles, or small ones, early deciduous 15, 16.
=F.= Leaves 3 in. or less long. (=H.=)
=H.= Cone-scales with straight or slightly curved, rigid
spines 17.
=H.= Cone-scales with stout, recurved spines 18, 19.
=H.= Cone-scales with small prickles which are early deciduous 20.
=H.= Cone-scales without spines or prickles 21, 22.
[Illustration: P. excelsa.]
1. =Pinus excelsa=, Wallich. (BHOTAN PINE.) Leaves in fives, from short,
fugacious, overlapping, membranaceous sheaths, 6 to 7 in. long, very
slender, of a glaucous-green color, and very pendulous. Cones 6 to 9 in.
long, and 2 in. in diameter, drooping and clustered, with broad, thick,
wedge-shaped scales. A large beautiful tree from southern Asia, much
subject to blight when planted in this country. Owing to its peculiar
drooping branches it has been called the Weeping Fir.
[Illustration: P. Lambertiana.]
2. =Pinus Lambertiana=, Douglas. (LAMBERT'S or SUGAR PINE.) Leaves in
fives, 3 to 4 in. long, from short, deciduous sheaths. Cones 12 to 18
in. long and 3 to 4 in. in diameter, gradually tapering to a point, on
stalks 3 in. long, brown and pendulous when ripe, without resin; seeds
large, oval, nearly 1 in. long, edible. A very large tree (100 to 300
ft. high in California and northward), and seemingly hardy and well
worth cultivation in the East. Wood white and soft like that of the
White Pine.
[Illustration: P. Strobus.]
3. =Pinus Strobus=, L. (WHITE PINE. WEYMOUTH PINE.) Leaves in fives, 3
to 4 in. long, from a loose, deciduous sheath; slender, soft, and
whitish on the under side. Cones 4 to 6 in. long, cylindric, usually
curved, with smooth, thin, unarmed scales. Tall (100 to 150 ft. high),
very useful tree, of white, soft wood nearly free from resin and more
extensively used for lumber than any other American tree. Has been
common throughout, but is getting scarce on account of its consumption
for lumber.
[Illustration: P. monticola.]
4. =Pinus monticola=, Dougl. (MOUNTAIN-PINE.) Leaves in fives, 3 to 4
in. long, from short, overlapping, very deciduous sheaths; smooth,
glaucous green. Cones 7 in. long and 1 3/4 in. in diameter, cylindric,
smooth, obtuse, short-peduncled, resinous, with loosely overlapping,
pointless scales. A large tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, resembling the White
Pine, and often considered a variety of it, but the foliage is denser;
Pacific coast.
[Illustration: P. flexilis.]
5. =Pinus flexilis=, James. (WESTERN WHITE PINE.) Leaves 2 to 3 in.
long, rigid, entire, acute, densely crowded, sharp-pointed, of a rich
dark green color, 5 together in lanceolate, deciduous sheaths. Cones 4
to 6 in. long and half as wide, subcylindric, tapering to the end,
semipendulous, clustered. Scales thick, woody, obtuse, loose, 1 1/4 in.
broad, yellowish brown. Seeds rather large, with rigid margins instead
of wings. A handsome hardy tree from the Pacific Highlands, occasionally
cultivated. It resembles the eastern White Pine, but is more compact and
of a darker color.
[Illustration: P. Cembra.]
6. =Pinus Cembra=, L. (CEMBRA PINE. SWISS STONE-PINE.) Leaves 3 to 4 in.
long, from a medium-sized deciduous sheath; triangular, rigid, slender,
straight, crowded, dark green with a glaucous surface; 5 together. Cones
2 1/2 in. by 2 in., ovate, erect, with obtuse, slightly hooked, but
pointless scales. Seeds as large as peas and destitute of wings. A
slow-growing, cultivated tree, 40 to 80 ft. high. Forms a regular cone;
branches to the ground; Europe; hardy throughout.
[Illustration: P. Taeda.]
7. =Pinus Taeda=, L. (LOBLOLLY OR OLD-FIELD PINE.) Leaves in twos and
threes, 6 to 10 in. long, with elongated, close sheaths; slender and of
a light green color. Cones in pairs or solitary, lateral, 3 to 4 in.
long, oblong, conical; the scales having short, rigid, straight spines.
A large tree, 50 to 130 ft. high, wild from Delaware, south and west, in
swamps and old fields.
[Illustration: P. ponderosa.]
8. =Pinus ponderosa=, Dougl. (WESTERN YELLOW OR HEAVY-WOODED PINE.)
Leaves in threes, 5 to 10 in. long, from short sheaths; broad, coarse,
twisted, flexible, of a deep green color; branchlets thick, reddish
brown. Cones 3 to 4 in. long, ovate, reflexed, clustered on short stems.
Scales long, flattened, with small, sharp, recurved prickles. A large
Pacific coast species, 100 to 300 ft. high, with rather coarse-grained,
hard and heavy, whitish wood, and thick, deeply furrowed bark; beginning
to be cultivated east.
[Illustration: P. paltustris.]
9. =Pinus palustris=, Mill. (LONG-LEAVED OR SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE.)
Leaves 3 together in bundles, 10 to 15 in. long, from a long, lacerated,
light-colored sheath, of a bright green color, and crowded in dense
clusters at the ends of the branches. Cones 6 to 10 in. long, usually
cylindric, of a beautiful brown color, with thick scales, armed with
very small, slightly recurved prickles. A rather tall pine, 75 ft. high,
wild in the Southern States, and cultivated as far north as New Jersey,
in sheltered situations.
[Illustration: P. rigida.]
10. =Pinus rigida=, Mill. (PITCH-PINE.) Leaves in threes, 3 to 5 in.
long, from short sheaths; rigid and flattened. Cones ovate, 1 in. to
nearly 4 in. long, sometimes in clusters; scales with a short, recurved
prickle. A medium-sized tree, 40 to 70 ft. high, with hard,
coarse-grained, very resinous wood; found east of the Alleghanies
throughout; more abundant in swamps.
[Illustration: P. Austriaca.]
11. =Pinus Austriaca=, Hoess. (AUSTRIAN OR BLACK PINE.) Leaves long, 3 to
5 in., rigid, slender, incurved, sharply mucronate, of a dark green
color; from short sheaths; 2 together. Cones 2 1/2 to 3 in. long,
regularly conical, slightly recurved, of a light brown color; scales
smooth, shining, with a dull spine in the center. A large cultivated
tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, hardy throughout. Europe.
[Illustration: P. Laricio.]
12. =Pinus Laricio=, Poir. (CORSICAN PINE.) Leaves 4 to 6 in. long,
slender, very wavy, dark green; 2 together in a sheath. Cones 2 to 3 in.
long, conical, somewhat curved, often in pairs. Scales with very small
prickles. Seeds rather large with broad wings. A tall, open, pyramidal,
rapid-growing tree, 60 to 100 ft. high, with the branches in regular
whorls, spreading and very resinous. Often cultivated. Europe.
[Illustration: P. Massoniana.]
13. =Pinus Massoniana=, Sieb. (MASSON'S PINE.) Leaves in twos, 4 to 6
in. long, rather stiff, concave on one side and convex on the other,
twisted but not curved; sharp-pointed, of a fresh, bright green color.
Cones 1 to 11/2 in. long, conical, incurved, solitary but numerous, with
closely overlapping scales terminating in slender prickles. An upright,
compact tree, 40 to 50 ft. high, from Japan; sometimes cultivated. Hardy
at Boston.
[Illustration: P. mitis.]
14. =Pinus mitis=, Michx. (COMMON YELLOW PINE.) Leaves sometimes in
threes, usually in twos, from long sheaths; slender, 3 to 5 in. long,
dark green, rather soft. Cones ovate to oblong-conical, hardly 2 in.
long; the scales with minute weak prickles. A large tree with an erect
trunk, 50 to 100 ft. high. Staten Island, south and west. The western
form has more rigid leaves, and more spiny cones.
[Illustration: P. densiflora.]
15. =Pinus densiflora=, Siebold. (JAPAN PINE.) Leaves about 4 in. long,
from short, fringed, scale-like sheaths; rigid, convex above, concave
beneath and somewhat serrulate on the margin, very smooth, sharp-pointed
and crowded, shining green and somewhat glaucous; falling when one to
two years old; 2 in a sheath. Cones abundant; 1 1/2 in. long,
short-peduncled, conical, obtuse, terminal, somewhat pendent; scales
linear-oblong, woody, with a small prickle which soon falls off. A
beautiful small tree, 30 to 40 ft. high; from Japan; hardy throughout.
[Illustration: P. resinosa.]
16. =Pinus resinosa=, Ait. (RED PINE.) Leaves 5 to 6 in. long, in twos,
from long sheaths; rigid, straight, dark green. Cones 2 in. long,
ovate-conical, smooth, their scales without points, slightly thickened,
usually growing in clusters. A tall tree, 60 to 80 ft. high, with rather
smooth, reddish bark and hard light-colored wood; branchlets also having
smooth reddish bark. Pennsylvania, north and west.
[Illustration: P. inops.]
17. =Pinus inops=, Ait. (JERSEY OR SCRUB PINE.) Leaves short, 1 1/2 to 3
in. long, rigid; usually 2, rarely 3, in a short sheath. Cones solitary,
2 to 3 in. long, ovate-oblong, curved, on a short stalk. Scales tipped
with a straight, rigid spine. A small tree, 15 to 30 ft. high, growing
wild in sections where the soil is poor and sandy; having straggling
flexible branches with rough, dark bark; New Jersey, south and west.
Rarely cultivated.
[Illustration: P. pungens.]
18. =Pinus pungens=, Michx. f. (TABLE-MOUNTAIN PINE.) Leaves in twos,
sometimes in threes, stout, short, 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 in. long, crowded,
bluish; the sheath short (very short on old foliage). Cones 3 in. or
more long, hanging on for a long time; the scales armed with a stout,
hooked spine, 1/4 in. long. A rather small tree, 20 to 60 ft. high. New
Jersey and south westward, along the mountains.
[Illustration: P. sylvestris.]
19. =Pinus sylvestris=, L. (SCOTCH PINE, wrongly called SCOTCH FIR.)
Leaves in twos, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 in. long, from short, lacerated sheaths,
twisted, rigid, of a grayish or a glaucous-green color. Cones 2 to 3 in.
long, ovate-conical, of a grayish-brown color, ripening the second year,
the scales having 4-sided, recurved points. A large and very valuable
tree of central Europe. Many varieties are in cultivation in this
country. It forms the Red and Yellow Deal so extensively used for lumber
in Europe.
[Illustration: P. contorta.]
20. =Pinus contorta=, Dougl. (TWISTED-BRANCHED PINE.) Leaves 2 in. long,
numerous, rigid, sharply mucronate, from a short, dark, overlapping
sheath; 2 to a sheath. Cones from 2 to 2 1/2 in. long, ovate, smooth,
clustered. Scales furnished with a point which is soon shed. A small
cultivated tree, 30 to 40 ft. high, from the Pacific coast of the United
States. As it has an irregular shape, and crooked branches, it is not
often planted.
[Illustration: P. Banksiana.]
21. =Pinus Banksiana=, Lambert. (GRAY OR NORTHERN SCRUB PINE.) Leaves in
twos, short, 1 in. long, oblique, divergent from a close sheath. Cones
lateral, conical, oblong, usually curved, 1 1/2 to 2 in. long, the scales
thickened at the end and without points. A straggling shrub, sometimes a
low tree, found wild in the extreme Northern States.
[Illustration: P. edulis.]
[Illustration: P. monophylla.]
22. =Pinus edulis=, Engelm. (PINON OR NUT-PINE.) Leaves mostly in pairs,
rarely in threes, 1 to 1 1/2 in. long, from short sheaths, light-colored,
rigid, curved or straightish, spreading; cones sessile, globose or
nearly so, 2 in. long; tips of scales thick, conical-truncate, no awns
or prickles; seeds large, nut-like, wingless, edible. A low,
round-topped tree, branching from near the base, 10 to 25 ft. high; from
the Rocky Mountains. A fine small pine; cultivated in the East. It needs
some protection at Boston. The figure shows the seed. =Pinus
monophylla=, Torr. and Frem., from the mountain regions farther west,
has its leaves in ones and twos; when in ones, round and very rigid;
when in pairs, flat on the inner side; leaves on the young shoots
bluish, glaucous green, or silvery. This is probably only a variety of
P. edulis. The seeds of both are so large and nutritious that they are
extensively used for food by the Indians.
GENUS =94. PICEA.= (THE SPRUCES.)
Leaves evergreen, scattered (pointing in every direction),
needle-shaped, keeled above and below, thus making them somewhat
4-sided. Fertile catkins and cones terminal; cones maturing the first
year, pendulous; scales thin, without prickles, persistent, the cone
coming off the tree whole.
* Leaves very short, usually 1/4 to 1/2 in. long, obtuse 7, 8.
* Leaves usually 1/2 in. or more long, acute. (=A.=)
=A.= Cones over 3 in. long; cultivated. (=B.=)
=B.= Leaves dark green; large tree, common 3.
=B.= Leaves bright or pale green 4, 5, 6.
=A.= Cones 2 in. or less long; large native trees 1, 2.
[Illustration: P. nigra.]
1. =Picea nigra=, Link. (BLACK OR DOUBLE SPRUCE.) Leaves about 1/2 in.
long, erect, stiff, somewhat 4-sided, very dark green or whitish-gray;
branchlets pubescent. Cones persistent, 1 to 1 1/2 in. long, ovate or
ovate-oblong, changing from dark purple to dull reddish-brown; scales
very thin, roundish, with toothed or uneven edges. A conical-shaped
tree, 40 to 80 ft. high; wild in the North and along the Alleghanies;
often cultivated. Bark dark brown; branches horizontal; wood light
reddish.
Var. _rubra_ has larger, darker leaves, and larger, brighter-colored
cones.
[Illustration: P. alba.]
2. =Picea alba=, Link. (WHITE OR SINGLE SPRUCE.) Leaves 1/2 to 3/4 in.
long, rather slender, needle-shaped, sharp-pointed, incurved, pale- or
glaucous-green; branchlets smooth. Cones deciduous, 2 in. long,
oblong-cylindrical, with entire, thin-edged scales. Tree 25 to 100 ft.
high, of beautiful, compact, symmetrical growth when young, and such
light-colored foliage as to make it a fine species for cultivation.
Wild in the North, and cultivated throughout. There are varieties with
bluish-green (var. _caerulea_) and with golden (var. _aurea_) foliage in
cultivation.
[Illustration: P. excelsa.]
3. =Picea excelsa=, Link. (NORWAY SPRUCE.) Leaves 3/4 to 1 in. long,
rigid, curved, dark green. Cones 5 to 7 in. long, and pendent at
maturity, with the scales slightly incurved. A large tree, 70 to 120 ft.
high, of vigorous growth, with numerous, stout, drooping branches;
abundant in cultivation. A score of named varieties are sold at the
nurseries, some quite dwarf, others so very irregular in shape as to be
grotesque.
[Illustration: P. polita.]
4. =Picea polita=, Carr. (TIGER'S-TAIL SPRUCE.) Leaves 1/2 to 3/4 in.
long, strong, rigid, sharp-pointed, somewhat curved, glabrous, bright
green, on stout branches with prominent buds. Leaves persistent for 7
years; not 2-ranked. Cones 4 to 5 in. long, spindle-shaped elliptical,
rounded at the ends. Tree of slow growth, with horizontal,
yellowish-barked branches. As it is a tree of recent introduction (1865)
from Japan, there are no large specimens. Hardy at Boston.
[Illustration: P. pungens.]
5. =Picea pungens=, Eng. (SILVER SPRUCE.) Leaves 1/2 to 1 in. long,
broad, rigid, stout, sharply acute, usually curved, pale green above,
silvery-glaucous beneath, on smooth and shining branchlets. Cones very
abundant, 3 to 5 in. long, cylindric, with elongated, undulated, retuse
scales. A strictly conical tree with spreading branches and thick,
smooth, gray bark. Sometimes cultivated; from the Rocky Mountains.
Hardy.
[Illustration: P. Morinda.]
6. =Picea Morinda=, Link. (HIMALAYAN SPRUCE.) Leaves 1 to 2 in. long,
very sharply acute, pale green color, spreading, 4-sided, straight,
rigid, slightly glaucous beneath; branches horizontal; branchlets
remotely verticillate, numerous, drooping, with light-colored bark.
Cones 6 to 7 in. long, ovate-oblong; scales light brown, oblong, entire,
smooth, loosely imbricated. A tall tree, cultivated from eastern Asia
and not hardy north of Washington except in sheltered positions.
[Illustration: P. Alcoquina.]
7. =Picea Alcoquina=, Lindl. (ALCOCK'S SPRUCE.) Leaves 1/4 to 3/4 in.
long, crowded, somewhat 4-sided, flattish, recurved, obtusely rounded
at tip, deep green above, whitish or yellowish below. Cones 2 to 3 in.
long, 1 in. in diameter, reddish fawn-color, with very persistent
scales; scales wedge-shaped at base, rounded at tip. A large tree from
Japan; fully hardy as far north as Mass.
[Illustration: P. orientalis.]
8. =Picea orientalis=, L. (EASTERN OR ORIENTAL SPRUCE.) Leaves very
short, 1/2 in. long, 4-sided, rigid, stout, rather obtuse, dark shining
green, entirely surrounding the branches. Cones 2 1/2 to 3 in. long,
cylindrical, with soft, thin, loose, rounded scales, uneven on the
edges. A beautiful, conical, slow-growing, compact tree, reaching the
height of 75 ft.; often cultivated; from the Black Sea. Hardy.
GENUS =95. TSUGA.= (HEMLOCKS.)
Leaves evergreen, scattered, flat, narrowed to a green petiole,
appearing 2-ranked by the direction they take, whitened beneath. Fertile
catkins and cones on the end of last year's branchlets. Cones pendulous,
maturing the first year; scales thin, persistent.
[Illustration: T. Canadensis.]
1. =Tsuga Canadensis=, Carr. (COMMON HEMLOCK.) Leaves short-petioled,
linear, 1/2 in. long, obtuse, dark green above and white beneath; the
young leaves in the spring a very light green. Cones oval, 1/2 to 3/4 in.
long, pendent, of few (20 to 40) scales. A large, very beautiful tree,
50 to 80 ft. high, abundant in rocky woods, and cultivated throughout;
spray light and delicate.
[Illustration: T. Caroliniana.]