The Trees of Vermont 



79 



BOXELDER ( ASHLEAVED MAPLE). 



BOXELDER 



Leaves and fruit, X 'y^ 



Acer Negundo Linn., Negundo aceroides 

 Moench. 



The leaves of the boxelder are 

 compound] ,with three or five or some- 

 times seven slender, somewhat lobed 

 leaflets. 



In its general habit and appear- 

 ance and especially in this leaf charac- 

 ter the boxelder much resembles the 

 ashes, hence one of its popular names. 

 A glance at the peculiar key fruit, 

 however, shows it is in reality one of 

 the maples. Its flowers appear in May. 

 The fruit becomes conspicuous by the 

 latter part ot June but clings to the 

 tree throughout the summer and au- 

 tumn. 



The boxelder occurs sparingly 

 along streams in the Champlain valley, 

 this marking its northern limit. It 

 is very commonly planted, but its 

 chief recommendation for this purpose 

 is its quick growth. 



BUCKTHORN FAMILY 



BUCKTHORN. Rhamnus cathartica Linn. 



The buckthorn was introduced from Europe. It is commonly culti- 

 vated as a hedge plant, and occurs not infrequently as an escape. When left 

 to itself it develops into a small and rather unsightly tree, bearing some re- 

 semblance to the wild plum. The most conspicuous character is its abund- 

 ant fruit which occurs in clusters. It is berry-like with three or four seeds, 

 one-third of an inch in diameter, and when ripe in autumn is black with 

 green juice. 



A medicinal syrup made from the berries was formerly much used. It 

 is a powerful cathaitic, and has fallen into disuse because of the violence of 

 its action. Dyes can be made from different parts of the plant. The juice 

 of the fresh berries yields a saffron color, and that of the bark a beautiful 

 yellow. A fine green pigment used in water color painting under the name 

 of sap-green is made from the berries in the early stages of ripeness. 



