136 BULLEITIN 145 



NEW JERSEY TEA. Ceanothus americanus L. 



This is a common undcr-shrub in dry open woodlands, es- 

 pecially in somewhat sandy soil. The characters of its leaf and 

 of the dry three-sided fruit are shown in the illustration. The 



small and white flowers hang 

 in clusters at the end of a 

 rather long stalk. Each 

 flower in turn stands upon a 

 white, thread-like stem. The 

 leaves of this plant were used 

 as a substitute for tea during 

 the Revolution ; hence its 

 common name. It is also 

 known as red-root because of 

 the deep red color ©f the 

 bark of the ro«ts, which is 

 said to be used in Canada to 

 dye wool. It has mildly astrin- 

 gent qualities and has been 

 used as a medicine. 



New Jersey Tea. 

 In fruit, X ¥2- 



SMALLER RED-ROOT. Ceauotkus ovotiis Desf. 



This is a similar shrub to the preceding, but of lower growth, 

 smooth throughout and bearing shorter flower stalks. It is a rare 

 shrub, confined to a small area of the sandy bluffs of Lake Cham- 

 plain in Burlington Bay. It is of peculiar botanical interest since 

 it is a plant typical rather of the western prairies and the shores 

 of the Great Lakes, and because its presence on Champlain 

 shores possibly dates from the time when this lake was an arm 

 of the northern ocean and in closer relation with what is now 

 the western lake region. 



