116 



SYJ.VA AMERICANA. 



ANDROMEDA. 



Decandria Mwiogynia. Linn. Ericese. Jess. Tonic, astringent, refrigerant, 



Sorel Tree. Andromeda arborea. 



This is the only species of Andromeda which rises to a 

 sufficient height to be ranked among forest trees. It begins to 

 appear on the Alleghanies in Virginia, and is found to their 

 termination in Georgia. It grows also in the Southern States on 

 the steep banks of the rivers that flow from the mountains ; but 

 it becomes more rare in following them from their source, 

 whether eastward or westward, and ceases entirely in the 

 maritime parts of the Carolinas and Georgia. 



It abounds in the fertile valleys at. the foot of the lofty 

 mountains of North Carolina, where they are found 50 feet in 

 height and 12 or 15 inches in diameter. This is an extraordi- 

 nary size for a tree of this genus, which is very numerous in the 

 Atlantic States, and three-fourths of whose species to the number 

 of eight or ten, rarely exceed six feet in height and an inch in 

 diameter. The growth of the sorel tree is observed to be stinted 

 in dry and gravelly lands, so that it presents itself in the form of 

 a bush. The leaves are downy in the spring, but they become 

 smooth and glabrous in acquiring their growth. They are alternate, 

 oval-acuminate, finely denticulated, and from four to five inches 

 long. It puts forth small white flowers, from July to September, 

 formed into spikes five or six inches long. United in groups 

 they have a fine effect, and render this tree very proper for the 

 embellishment of gardens. The seeds are exceedingly minute, 

 and are contained in small capsules. 



On the trunk of the sorel tree the bark is thick and deeply 

 furrowed. The wood is of a pale rose color and very soft. It 

 burns with difficulty, and is wholly rejected in the arts. The 

 acidity of the leaves has procured it the name of Sorel 

 Tree. In drying they become black, and, when sumac is not to 

 be obtained, they are used to impart color to wool. 



