26 HOW TO KNOW WILD FRUITS 



This is the only Greenbrier in our section 

 which bears red berries. Smilax Walteri has a 

 low stem, somewhat prickly below and unarmed 

 above. It grows in swamps and moist places as 

 far north as New Jersey. 



LAUREL MAGNOLIA 



Magnolia Virginiana. Magnolia glauca Magnolia Family 



Fruit. — The small conelike fruit consists of 

 many coherent carpels, which are crowded upon 

 the enlarged receptacle. When mature, the 

 conelike mass is red and each carpel splits along 

 its outer side. The one or two contained red 

 seeds escape, but, for a time, each remains hang- 

 ing by a slender white thread. The seeds are 

 slightly bitter, but are used as food by the birds. 

 September, October. 



Leaves. — The oval or elliptical leaves have a 

 leathery appearance. They are light green and 

 shining above and much whitened beneath. 

 In the South, they usually remain on the tree 

 during the winter, falling in the spring to give 

 place to new growths. The petioles are short 

 and tapering. 



