TREES OF THE MIDDLE DUNES. 



373 



usually strongly inclined bind ward — an evidence of the force of the 

 winds. Baccharis halimifolia on the dunes usually grows at the edge 

 of the Myrica thickets. 



While the open dunes are nol forested, scattered small trees often 

 grow upon or among them. Most frequent, and usually advancing 

 farthest toward the beach, is Hie loblolly pine ( /V Hits locihi), which 

 here sometimes attains a height of b! meters (+"> feet) and a diameter 

 of 7 or 8 decimeters (2| feet) (fig. 06). Other species thai attain the 

 dignity of trees are the black cherry (Primus serolina), with its leaves 

 thicker than is normally the case inland; the persimmon (Diospyras 

 virginiana), which ripens fruit abundantly; the Spanish oak (Quercus 



Fiu. 05.— Live oak ( Quercus virginiana) on tho middle dunes near Oceanvlew, Va. 



diyttata), and rarely the holly (f.lc.r optica). All show the effect of the 

 wind in the position of their trunks, which lean in a landward direc- 

 tion, their numerous dead branches (especially upon the windward 

 side), and the position of their ragged crown of foliage (almost alto- 

 gether on the leeward side of the stem). 



A striking characteristic of the middle-dune vegetation, as of nearly 

 all plant formations of the southern coastal plain, is the strong devel- 

 opment of woody lianas or climbing plants. These either support 

 themselves upon the shrubs, especially in the .Myrica thickets, where 

 they often form almost impenetrable tangles (comparable to the 



