' XANTHOXYLACEAK 43 



np countless suckers from its wide-spreading roots. It was intro- 

 duced as a Shade tree, about the year 1820 ; but will scarcely main- 

 tain its position as such. I learn from WM. JACKSON, Esqr., of 

 Harmony Grove, in this County, that the XANTHOX'YLON AMEBI- 

 C\NUM, Mill. (a prickly Shrub, which is the type of this Order), 

 has escaped from the gardens, and is becoming naturalized^, sev- 

 eral places in that vicinity. 



ORDER XXVII. ANACARDIA^CEAE. 



Shrubs, or trees; with a resinous, or milky, acrid juice; leaves alternate, mostly 

 compound, without stipules; flowers regular, pentandrous, small, often polygamo- 

 dioicous ; ovary (by abortion) 1-celled, and 1-ovuled, but with three styles or stig" 

 mas ; seeds without albumen. 



In the tropical regions, this Family presents plants of much interest : such as 

 that which yields the celebrated Mango fruit (Mangifera Indica, L.) the Cashew 

 JVlrf (Anacardium occidentals, L.) and the Pistacia Nut (Pistacia vera, L.~), with 

 others, which afford various kinds of Lacquer, and Varnish. 



75. RHITS', L. 



[The ancient Greek and Latin name of the genus.] 



Sepals 5, connected at base, persistent. Petals 5, inserted with the 

 stamens on, or under, the edge of a flatted disk. Fruit small, a sort 

 of dry drupe. Polygamo-dioicous Shrubs ; common petioles enlarged 

 at base, covering the buds of the ensuing year. 



f Leaves odd-pinnate. * Young branches densely villous. 



1. R. ty plii ii a, L. Leaflets oblong-lanceolate, acutely serrate, 

 pale or glaucous beneath. 



TYPHA-LIKE RHUS. Staghorn Sumach. 



Juice milky. Stem 15 to 20 or 30 feet high, with spreading branches above. 

 Leaflets 2 to 4 inches long, 8 to 12 or 15 pairs and a terminal one. Flowers yel- 

 lowish-green, in terminal thyrsoid panicles, the fertile ones about 6 inches long, 

 very dense, oblong and nearly cylindrical ; fruit densely clothed with a purple 

 pubescence, which is sharply acid. 

 Sab. Woods, and banks of streams; Schuylkill: not common. Fl. June. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. This is the largest and handsomest species, indigenous to 

 the County. The fine purple clusters of fruit, on the fertile plant, 

 render it quite an ornamental little tree ; and when planted in the 

 yards and public squares of our cities, it affords an almost literal 

 exemplification of the much-admired Khus in urbe ! Its roots, how- 

 ever, are rather troublesome, in sending up suckers. 



* * Young branches downy-pubescent. 



2. R. copallina, L. Common petiole winged ; leaflets oblong 

 or ovate-lanceolate, nearly entire. 



COPAL RHUS. Dwarf Sumach. 



Juice resinous. Stem 3 to 6 or 8 feet high, branched. Leaflets 1 to 3 inches long, 

 usually 4 or 5 pairs with a terminal one, subcoriaceous. Flowers yellowish-green, 

 in terminal thyrsoid panicles. Fruit densely pubescent, finally dark purple and acid. 

 Hob. Dry, slaty bills : frequent. Fl. July. Fr. October. 

 * * * Young branches glabrous. 



3. R. gliYbra, L. Leaflets lance-oblong, acuminate, serrate, 

 whitish beneath. 



