Genus PTELEA, Linn. 



Xanihoxylaceae. 



Hyst. Nat. 



Pteka, Bellucia, 



Orme de Samarie, 

 Lederblume, 

 Ptelea, 

 Trefoil, 



Synonymes. 



Monoecia TetraPentandria. 



Hyst. Lin. 



Of Authors. 



France. 



Germany. 



Italy. 



Britain and Anglo-America. 



Derivations. Ptelea is the Greek name of the elm. It is derived from ptao, to fly, in allusion to the winged seed-Tesssls tl 

 this iree. 



Generic Characters. Polygamous. Sepals 3 6, commonly 4, small. Petals much longer than the sepals, 

 spreading. Stamens alternate with and longer than the petals ; filaments thickened below and hairy 

 on the inside ; in the fertile flowers very short and with sterile anthers. Ovary of 2 united carpels, 

 placed on a convex torus ; ovules 2 in each carpel, situated one above the other ; styles short, united, 

 or none ; stigmas 2. Fruit a 2-celled samara, turgid in the centre, the margin expanded into a broad, 

 orbicular membranaceous and reticulated wing. Seeds oblong, solitary in each cell. Leaves pinnately 

 3- (rarely 5-) foliate, with pellucid dots, the lateral leaflets inequilateral. Flowers whitish, cymose ; 

 cymes corymbed or panicled. Torrey and Gray, Flora, 



HE genus Ptelea embraces at least five species, four of which are 

 indigenous to North America, and one to Cochin-China. The 

 Ptelea monophylla, having simple, ovate, lanceolate leaves, is a 

 native of Carolina, and grows to the height of four feet. The 

 Ptelea pentandra and podocarpa are indigenous to Mexico, and 

 grow to a height of six to ten feet. The Ptelea ovata is a simple- 

 leaved species, native of Cochin-China. The other species, and the only one 

 that has been cultivated with success, or has attained much size, is the Ptelea 

 trifoliata, which, as appears by its history, well deserves a place in collections, 

 both on account of the singularity of its leaves and fruit, and the general beauty 

 of the tree. 



