420 BOTANICAL SURVEY OF DISMAL SWAMP REGION. 



opaca), and even small red maples (Acer rubrum) and black gums 

 {Nyssa biflora) are often present. The cotton gum (Xi/ssa aquatica) 

 is abundant, in some parts of the Open swamp, as a small tree (1 meters 

 (20 feet) or so high. On somewhat higher and drier land, oaks (Q. 

 nigra, Q. michauxii), beech (Fagus arm ricana), and other trees invade 

 what was originally juniper forest. 



Ericaceae (shrub) association. — Very abundant and important in 

 the light swamp, especially in the more open places where most of 

 the trees have been removed, is an association of shrubs in which 

 Ericaceae largely predominate (PI. LXXII). The more important 

 species, named approximately in the order of their abundance, are: 

 Clethra alnifolia, Ilea virginica, Xolisma {Andromeda) foliosiflora, 

 Leucothoc raeemosa, Pier is (Andromeda) nifida, Ilex glabra. Azalea 

 viscosa, and Vuecinium corymbosum. Frequent, but not usually 

 abundant, are Viburnum nudum, Ilex lucida, I. dccidua, Aronia 

 (Pgrits) arbutifolia, and Amelanchier botryapiutn. Kalmia ungusti- 

 folia is somewhat, rare and Leucothoc axillaris appears to be less 

 at home here than in the blaek gum forest. Rhus rem ix (venenata) 

 and Rosa Carolina, which are abundant in the lesser swamps of the 

 region, are of small importance within the borders of the Great Dismal 

 proper. 



These shrubs often grow so densely as to exclude almost all other 

 vegetation, usually to a height of 1 to 2£ meters (4 to 8 feet), but with 

 larger individuals here and there which are 5 meters (15 feet) or so 

 high. The stems are usually very crooked and the branches numer- 

 ous. Most of the species are deciduous-leaved, but two of the most 

 common, Pieris nitida and Ilex glabra, have thick, shining, evergreen 

 leaves, a character likewise possessed by the less common Ilex lucida 

 and Leucothoe axillaris. Almost all of these species have showy clus- 

 ters of white flowers. Those of Itea, Leucothoe, Azalea, and Pieris 

 appear in May, while Clethra is in full blossom in midsummer. The 

 flowers of Azalea riscosa, Leucothoc axillaris, and Clethra alnifolia are 

 very fragrant. This woody undergrowth is especially well developed 

 along the ditches and in clearings. It is an association which is 

 rapidly increasing in the interior of the Dismal Swamp, where il is 

 said to have been once almost unknown. 



Occurring primarily as a constituent of the shrub association is the 

 exceedingly abundant Smilax hturifolia, one of the most conspicuous 

 and characteristic plants of the region. This vigorous liana forms 

 great masses among the undergrowth, bearing down the supporting 

 plant by the weight of its heavy wood, thick leaves, and abundant 

 fruit. It is a handsome plant, with evergreen leaves of the laurel 

 type. A striking contrast is afforded by the colors of the leaves of 

 different age light, almost pea-green, when young, dark and shining 

 when older. The young plants and young branches ascend by means 



