300 



Ornamental Shrubs. 



served as branches, fall off as well as the leaves. In this state 

 it appears more dead than alive, and often very much un- 

 like its floral or arboreal surroundings. But when spring 

 comes it is quickly reclothed ; the ephemeral branches 

 grow rapidly, and send out compound leaves two or three 

 feet long, and often half as broad. These form a cluster 

 at the top of what was so recently a bare stem, and are 

 very tropical in appearance, being twice or thrice pinnate, 



ROSE ACACIA. (See page 46.) 



and borne on petioles, fifteen to twenty inches long, which 

 clasp the main stem with a thickened and enlarged base. 

 The flowers come out in midsummer in umbels and com- 

 pound panicles. They are white tinted with green, and in 

 such masses as to create surprise to one not familiar with 

 the plant. This round head, with large foliage and im- 

 mense cluster of flowers, has much the appearance of a 

 tropical palm in full blossom, if such were a possible thing. 



