Ilalesla tctraptcra^ 



THE COMMON SNOWDROP-TREE. 



Synonymes. 



JIalesia ictraptera, 

 Halesia tetraptera, 



LiNN^us, Species Plantarum. 

 Don, Miller's Dictionary. 

 Loudon, Arboretum Briiannicum. 

 France and Germany. 



Snoudrop-iree, Silver Bell-tree, Wild ) g^,^^,^ ^^^ ^^.^^^_^^^^j^^_ 

 Olive-tree, ) 



Periralions. T\\e specific namn tetraptera is derived from the Greek tetra, four, and pteron, a wing, In allusion to the foul 

 wings of the fruit of this tree. It is called Unotcdroptrec, from the resemblance which its flowers bear to those of the snowdrop. 



Engravings. Curlls, Botanical Magazine, pi. 910 ; Audubon, Birds of America; Loudon, Arboretum Britannicum, ii., fig. 

 I0I2 and vi., pi. 196 cl 197 ; and the figures below. 



Specific Characters. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminated, sharply serrated. Petioles glandular. Fruit 

 with 4 wings. Leaves acuminated, with the middle depressed. Flowers pure white, 9 10 in a fascicle, 

 drooping, resembling those of the snowdrop. Don, Miller'' s Diet. 



Description. 



'^;^ ^^^^HE Halesia tetraptera is a beaitti- 

 *2 't^P i^ fi^'l ^o\v tree or large shrub, grow- 

 S^ ^ u {($ ing from fifteen to thirty feet in 

 ^^^^ height, with a trunk from five to 

 eighteen inches in diameter. The bark of the trunk is of a 

 darkish colour, with many irregular fissures. The leaves are 

 ovate-acuminate, serrate, with the middle depressed. The 

 flowers, which are of a pure white, put forth in April and 

 May, and are succeeded by an acid fruit, of a rhomboidal 

 form, with four wings. Its flowers are produced in great 

 abundance; and, from their shape, colour, and pendulous 

 appearance, they are considered as resembling those of the 

 snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis.) 



Variety. H. t. parviflora. Small-flowered Pour-winged -fruited Halesia, o/ 

 Snowdrop-tree; Halesia parviflora^ of Pursh, Michaux, and others. This vari- 

 ety, though usually considered as a distinct species, differs from the Halesia 

 tetraptera, chiefly in having the leaves downy and glaucous beneath. 



Geography, (^c. The Halesia tetraptera is found in shady woods, on the 

 banks of streams, from Carolina to Texas. It was introduced into Britain in 

 1756, and is to be met with in most of the European collections. The largest 

 recorded trees of this species in Britain, are at Purser's Cross, and at Syon House, 

 near London, which exceed thirty feet in height, with trunks about eighteen 

 inches in diameter. At Schwobber, in Hanover, Germany, there is another tree 

 of about the same dimensions. 



This species may be propagated from seeds which often remain in the ground 

 more than a year without vegetating. It may also be increased by cuttings or 

 by layers. 



Properties and Uses. The wood of the Halesia tetraptera is hard, brittle, and 

 veined ; but owing to its small size, and comparative scarcity, it is appropriated 

 to no particular use in the arts. The fruit, when ripe, is eaten in a crude state, 

 by some people; and, when green, it is sometimes employed as a pickle. As 

 this species is one of the most ornamental of the American deciduous trees, it 

 richly deserves a place in every collection. 



