B109 

 MOCKORANGES 



Philadel'phus spp. 



The mocko ranges, attractive flowery shrubs of the hydrangea family (Hy- 

 drangeaceae) which is merged by some botanists with the saxifrage family 

 (Saxifragaceae), constitute a widely distributed genus of about 50 species 

 native to North America, Mexico, Central Europe and Asia. Approximately 

 28 species are native to North America with about 10 of these occurring in the 

 western range States. 



The mockoranges appear to have little or no range significance for domestic 

 livestock as they are generally unpalatable or low in palatability for those 

 animals and, furthermore, are usually too scattered to constitute an important 

 part of the range plant cover. These plants are extremely popular shrubs on 

 account of their showy, often fragrant, flowers. Many species are used for 

 ornamentals and numerous hybrids have originated in cultivation, making 

 distinction of the species difficult. 



The western mockoranges are mostly erect shrubs with ascending somewhat 

 curving branches. The leaves and branches are opposite. The flowers are 

 showy, white or yellowish white, borne at the ends of short leafy branches, 

 solitary or in loose clusters. The outer flower parts (calyx) are four- or 

 five-parted with the lower portion united to form a persistent tube which is 

 adherent to the seed-producing organ (ovary). The flowers have four or five 

 petals and usually numerous stamens. The ovary is mostly four-celled, with 

 usually four styles which are separated above the middle or more or less 

 united. The ovary ripens into a many-seeded, top-shaped, mostly four-valved 

 seedpod (capsule) which splits down the middle of the back of each cell. 



