(Citrus Fruits In This Family)
246. PRICKLY ASH (_Xanthoxylum clava-herculis_ L.) also called
tear-blanket or toothache tree: a rather small tree common in rich
lowlands, “of its largest size on the rich intervale lands of the
streams flowing into the Trinity River”. Leaves: pinnately compound of 3
to 9 pairs of leaflets, usually ovate with acute or acuminate tips, 1 to
2½ in. long, shiny above, dull beneath, margins crenate-serrate,
aromatic and tingling-spicy as are the fruit and bark. Twigs: have
scattered, hooked spines, often black on young shoots. Bark: smooth,
bluish gray, conspicuous for its corky, cone-shaped knobs which are
sometimes still tipped with sharp spines; bark of root is especially
stimulating and tonic, used by negroes for toothache and rheumatism.
Flowers: small, white or greenish, in small cymes, opening after the
leaves. Fruit: ¼ inch long, and nearly round, pitted capsules split in
early autumn to reveal the shiny black seeds; relished by many birds.
Wood: light weight, close-grained, light brown with yellow sapwood, not
valued as much as the bark.
[Illustration: 246 prickly ash]
247. WAFER ASH (_Ptelea trifoliata_ L.) or hop tree: a rare, small tree
or shrub of low woodlands. Leaves: pinnately compound, usually composed
of three, rarely five leaflets, 2 to 5 inches long, 1 to 3 wide, the
terminal generally larger and more tapering toward the base than the
others, margins entire or finely serrate, dark and shiny above,
gland-dotted beneath. Twigs: dark, glossy, resembling cherry; winter
buds rounded, whitish. Bark: of branches resembles cherry, dark and
shining but cracks and curls, becoming rough; bitter, tonic. Flowers:
greenish white, compound terminal cymes; in midsummer; disagreeable
odor. Fruit: winged seed disks similar to those of elm but larger,
nearly 1 inch; the drooping clusters conspicuous on winter branches;
occasionally used in place of hops in beer brewing. Wood: heavy, hard
and close-grained.
[Illustration: 247 wafer ash]