Description of Native Shrubs 



i68. Bayberry. Wax-myrtle. (Myrica cerifera.) 



Leaf : i^'-3', simple, alternate, entire or slightly serrate tow- 

 ard apex, oblong-elliptical, base narrowed, glossy, fragi-a^it when 

 bruised. Flower: much as in 167, but after the leaves ; May ; 

 seeds in globular, berry-like cones, abundant, coated with white 

 wax, remaining through winter. Sandy soil near sea-coast, and 

 on Lake Erie. (PI. IX.) 



169. Sweet-fern. (Myrica asplenifolia.) 



Leaf : 3-6', simple, alternate, many-lohed, very 7icrrow, 

 fragrant when bruised. Flower : staminate in cylindrical, 

 pistillate in globular, catkins ; no calyx nor corolla ; April, May, 

 before leaves. In poor soil, often in large masses ; i°-2° high. 

 (PI. IX.) 



170. Low Birch. (Betula pumila.) 



Leaf: yi'-iyi', simple, alternate, roundish-toothed, broad- 

 oval or obovate, thickish, young branches and leaves beneath soft, 

 hairy. Flower : staminate in pendent, pistillate in erect, catkins, 

 both ]4.' to }(' long, 2-3 blossoms under each bract ; in early 

 spring, before or with leaves. Mountains of New England, also 

 in Connecticut, New Jersey, and west ; 2°-8° high. (PI. IX.) 



171. Speckled Alder. Hoary Alder. (Alnus incana.) 



Leaf : 2'-4', simple, alternate, serrate (finely, and often also 

 coarsely), roundish or ovate, base rounded, slightly cordate, or 

 pointed, whitish and downy beneath, a little thickish. Flower : 

 staminate in slender pendent catkins, 2'-3' long, pistillate in thick, 

 oval catkins, about y^' long, catkins of both sorts 3-5 clustered ; 

 March, April, before leaves ; fruit in short cones. Massachu- 

 setts, west and north, in damp soil ; 8°-20° high. 



172. Smooth Alder. (Alnus serulata.) 



Leaf : as in 171, but green both sides, base sharp, generally 

 smooth. Flower : as in 171. Massachusetts, west and south ; 

 5°-i5° high. (PI. IX.) 



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