6o8 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 



Order ERICALES. 



Family CLETHRACE^E. Sweet Pepper Bushes. 



CLETHRA L. 



Clethra ainifolia L. Sweet Pepperbush. 



PI. XCIL, Fig. 2. 



Clsthra ainifolia Linnaeus, Sp. PI. 1057. 1753 [North America]. — Barton, Fl. 

 Phila. 204. 1818. — Knieskern 20. — Britton 163. — Keller and Brown 244. 



Swamps; frequent or common throughout our district, oc- 

 curring to the north, mainly on the coastal plain, but also at 

 Budds Lake and Lake Hopatcong. 



This is a characteristic shrub of all the swamps of the coastal 

 plain. Its fragrance fills the air after the somewhat similar odor- 

 of the swamp Magnolia of early summer has passed away, while 

 its handsome white flower spikes furnish a touch of color at a 

 time when few other shrubs are in bloom. 



At Manahawkin it is called Soap Bush, from the idea that the 

 flowers when rubbed together in water make a sort of soapy 

 lather. Our results have not been very startling, however. 



Fl. — Late July to early September. 



Middle District.— New Egypt, Fish House, Kaighns Pt., Tomlin (S), Black- 

 wood, Clementon, Salem (S), Dividing Creek. 



Pine Barrens. — Toms River (S), New Lisbon, Forked River, Jones Mill 

 (S), Speedwell, Bear Swamp (S), Landisville (T), Hammonton, Mouth of 

 Batsto River, Pleasant Mills, Egg Harbor City. 



Coast Strip.— Ft. Pleasant (S), Surf City (L), Harvey Cedars (L), Ship 

 Bottom (L), Beesleys Pt. (S). 



Cape May. — Cape May. 



Family PYROLACE^. Wintergreens. 



Key to the Species. 



a. Leaves all basal, oval or orbicular. 



b. Flowers 6-8 mm. broad in a distinctly one-sided raceme, leaves dis- 

 tinctly crenate. Pyrola secunda, p. 610 

 bb. Flowers 10-18 mm. broad, raceme not one-sided, leaves obscurely 

 crenate or entire. 

 c. Calyx lobes oblong or lanceolate, leaves shining. 



P. americana, p. 609 

 cc. Calyx lobes ovate or triangular, leaves dull. 



d. Blades orbicular, usually shorter than the petioles, 12-25 ^^- 

 long. P. chlorantha, p. 60^ 



