DIOECIA PENTANDRIA 



685 



A tree, which around ponds or in poor soils rarely? exceeds 30 — 40 feet in 

 height, but which, in the deep river swamps becomes one of the largest trees 

 of our forests, 60 — 80 feet in height, and 2 — 4 in diameter. Leaves oblong- 

 lanceolate, very acute, entire, Sometimes slightly pubescent underneath. Ste- 

 rile flowers numefous, very small. Stamens in the whole genus, as remark- 

 ed by Nuttnll, variable, but more frequently I believe 5 than 10. Fertile 

 ^florets almost invariably 2. Fruit oval, compressed, dark blue. 



Leaves with us longer than those of the N- Multiflora. 



Grows in swamps and wet soils. 



Flowers April — May. 



3. Capitata. Walt. 



N. foliis brevissime 

 petiolatis, oblongo-Ian- 

 ceolatis, ovalibusque, 

 sub-integerrimis, sub- 

 tus pubescentibiis sub 



Leaves 



on 



very 



eanisque; 



edunenlis 



short petioles, oblong- 

 oval. 



lanceolate 



and 



nearly entire, 



scent 



and 



pube 



somewhat 



masculis caoitatis; foe 



hoary underne.tlh; ste 



mineis unifloris. 



? 



rile 



florets 



E. 



capitate; 



fertile one-fiowered. 



r 



Walt. p. 253. Mich- arb. foi. 2. p. 257- 



N, Candicans, Mich. 2. p. 259- Sp. ph 4. p. 1113. Pursh^ I. p. 177. . 

 Nutt. 2. p. 236. 



A small irregular tree, very often not exceeding the size of a shrub, andj I 

 believe, rarely reachinej the height of 20 feet. Leaves oblong-oval, often vary- 

 ing, ovate or obovate, sometimes obtuse, sometimes cuneate at base, always 

 pubescent and somewhat hoary underneath, sometimes denticulate. Sterile 

 flowers in compact heads. Calyx tomentose. Stamens much longer than 

 the calyx. Fertile florets solitary, on a short peduncle. Calyx very tomen- 

 tose. Style sometimes 2-cleft. Fnnt ovate; when ripe of a dull red colour 

 and pleasantly subacid- 



The Ogeechee River appears to be the northern limit of this tree; the 

 pleasant acid of its fruit induced some of the early inhabitants of Georgia to ' 

 use it as a substitute for the lime, hence its common name of the Ogeechefi 

 Lirae, but its last flavour is austere. 



Grows around ponds in wet sandy soils. 



Flowers April — May. 



4. To]ttE.\TosA, Mich. 



lali 



N. foliis longe petio-l Leaves on long pe 

 ' 3, oblongis^ acumi- tioles, oblong, acumi 



