284 BILBERRY: BEECH, ETC. 



Vaccinium Myrtillus, L. Whortleberry, Bilberry. 

 Leaves thin, alternate, on a short petiole (2 3 mm.), the 

 insertion on the angular shoots very prominent and de- 

 current; ovate or elliptical, acute, about 15 30 x 10 

 20 mm. Serratulate, pale green, glabrous. Sometimes 

 slightly cordate at the base. Venation distinct, reticulate. 

 Autumn leaves brilliant cherry reds and scarlet crimsons 

 to brown. 



[The leaves of the following Willows may give trouble 

 in this section, when toothed and exhibiting no signs of 

 stipules i.e. the stipules are obsolete or very caducous. 



Salix purpurea, usually known at once by its more or 

 less lanceolate, sub-opposite leaves. See p. 178. 



S. repens, usually known by its creeping dwarf habit 

 and silky shoots and leaves (see p. 243): it may have 

 to be examined in relation to the rare alpine dwarf 

 creepers S. Lapponum (p. 288), S. Myrsinites (p. 280), 

 S. Arbuscula (p. 280), and S. herbacea (p. 281), in which 

 the stipules are also frequently obsolete. 



S. nigricans (p. 292), and S. phylicifolia (p. 293) are 

 also occasionally devoid of evident stipules.] 



(b) Leaves entire, at most faintly sinuate, or with 

 microscopic serratulse. 



?or (ii) (i) Leaves distichous on the lateral long shoots, 



broad oval : venation strict-pinnate. 



Fagus sylvatica, L. Beech (Fig. 108). Large tree 

 with smooth trunk and glossy foliage, giving very deep 

 shade. Leaf 49 x 36 cm. (315 x 2-510 cm.), ellip- 

 tic, ovate, or oblong-ovate; acute, sinuate or faintly sinuate- 

 dentate along the upper two-thirds, base slightly tapering 

 or rounded. Thin and hard, sub-coriaceous, glabrous, clear 

 dark green and glossy above, a little paler and silky 



