144 CAPRIFOLIACE^E. 



Calyx with the margin obsolete ; inner sepals (petals) 4, dis- 

 tinct. Stigma obtuse, sessile. Berry pulpy. 



V. flavescens Pursh.: branches terete, opposite and verticillate ; leaves 

 cuneate-obovate, 3-nerved ; spikes axillary, solitary, rather shorter than 

 the leaves ; sterile flowers mostly trifid. V. verticillatum Nutt. 



Parasitic on trees. N. J. to Flor. and throughout the valley of the Mississippi. 

 May. %. Stem 9 18 inches high, yellowish -green, smooth. Leaves fleshy 

 or somewhat coriaceous. Flowers small, yellowish-green, sessile. Berries 

 pearly white, resembling white wax. White Misseltoe. 



ORDER LXV. CAPRIFOLIACE^E. CAPRIFOILS. 



Calyx 4 5-cleft, usually with 2 or more bracts at base. 

 Corolla monopetalous or polypetalous, rotate or tubular, regu- 

 lar or irregular. Stamens epipetalous, as many as the lobes of 

 the corolla and alternate with them. Style 1, or none j stig- 

 mas 3 5. Fruit usually a berry or drupe, rarely a capsule. 

 Seeds solitary or numerous ; albumen fleshy. Shrubs or her- 

 baceous plants. Leaves opposite, without stipules. Inflores- 

 cence various. 



1. SAMBUCUS. Linn. Elder. 



(From the Greek aapQvK 17, a musical instrument, in the construction of which 

 this wood is said to have been employed.) 



Calyx with the limb small and 5-cleft. Corolla rotate or 

 urceolate, 5-lobed ; lobes obtuse. Stamens 5. Style none. 

 Stigmas 3, sessile. Berry roundish, pulpy, 1 -celled, 3 5- 

 seeded. 



1 . S. Canadensis Linn. : stem suffrutescent ; leaves pinnate ; leafets in 

 4 or 5 pairs, oblong-oval, acuminate, smooth and shining ; nerves and peti- 

 oles smooth ; stipules wanting ; cyme 5-parted, spreading. 



Wet grounds. Can. to Car. W. to Miss. May, June. TZ. Stem 510 feet 

 high. Leaves sometimes bipinnate. Flowers white. Fruit oval, deep purple 

 or nearly black. Common Elder. 



2. S. pubcns Mich. : stem frutescent ; leaves pinnate ; leafets in 2 or 3 

 pairs, oval-lanceolate, and with the petioles pubescent beneath ; thyrse 

 ovoid or pyramidal, loose. S. pubescens Pers. 



Rocky woods. Can. to Car. W. to Oregon. June, July. \i. Stem 6 8, 

 sometimes 15, feet high. Flowers white. Fruit small, red, rarely white. Torr. 



Red-berried Elder. 



2. VIBURNUM. Linn. Viburnum. 



(Origin of the name uncertain.) 



Calyx with the limb small 5-toothed and persistent. Co- 

 rolla rotate, subeampanulate or tubular, o-lobed. Stamens 6, 



