Mulberries — Tupelo — Osmanthus 291 



MULBERRIES 



Morus. A genus of a doubtful number of species, mostly small 

 trees and shrubs, of minor ornamental value, but pleasing in their 

 shining, dark green, roundish foliage, and valuable because of fru- 

 gality and shade-endurance. When planted as a shade tree the edible 

 fruit is rather a nuisance, as it litters the ground. 



M. rubra Linn. (23S), the native Red Mulberry, distributed north into 

 southern Canada, is a medium-sized tree, most readily grown, and a 

 good shader. 



M. nigra Linn. (239), the Black Mulberry, from Persia, and M. 

 alba Linn. (240), the While Mulberry, the two silkworm feeders, are 

 small trees or shrubs and have no special points superior to the fore- 

 going, except that they are probably hardy farther north and have a 

 finer foliage. 



TUPELO 



Nyssa. For brilliant autumn colors there are few native trees finer 

 than the two native species of large trees: 



N. sylvatica Marsh. (241), Pepperidge, Sour Gum, of the north, 

 and N. aquatica Linn, {unijiora) (242), Large Tupelo, of more 

 southern range. Their small, dark, glossy, ovate leaves, turning fiery 

 scarlet in autumn, and lasting for weeks, give rare brilliancy *o groups 

 of duller hue. In form they are straggling, but by the shelving tiers of 

 their tortuous, spreading branches are often interesting. This form 

 .seems dependent on soil, wet or dry ones, to both of which it is 

 adapted, while in better soils it is apt to develop short branches and a 

 columnar outline. No troubles except occasional leaf fungi may be 

 anticipated. LTnless properly prepared in the nursery, they do not 

 transplant readily. 



OSMANTHUS 



A genus of the olive family furnishes three species, dwarf trees, one 

 from the United States, the other two from Japan and China, only 

 semi-hardy, which are desirable, especially as winter ornaments, for 

 their evergreen foliage, similar to holly. 



O. Americanus B. & PL (243), five to six feet, with long (four-inch), 

 thick, glossy leaves, and purple, nut-like fruit from the axillary, sessile 

 flowers in threes (June). 



