STAPHYLEA 



549 



This handsome shrub was first noticed as showing hybrid characters in 

 the nursery of Mr Coulombier, at Vitry, in France, in 1887. It had been 

 obtained by him from the famous arboretum of Segrez in 1872, beyond which 

 date its history is unknown. But it may well have originated there as a 

 chance hybrid. It is most closely related to S. colchica, especially in the 

 shining green under-surface of the leaves, but the much smaller fruits and 

 the differences in the sepals and petals distinguish it. 



Var. GRANDIFLORA, Zabcl. A very distinct form, with much longer, laxer 

 panicles, and larger individual flowers; the leaflets are rather longer than in 

 ordinary S. Coulombieri, but proportionately narrower. 



STAPHYLEA COULOMBIERI. 



S. HOLOCARPA, Hemsley. 



A deciduous shrub, 20 to 30 ft. high iri a wild state, and often tree-like; 

 young shoots smooth. Leaves of three leaflets, which are oblong-lanceolate, 

 abruptly acuminate, the terminal one stalked and 2 to 4 ins. long, the side 

 ones almost stalkless ; all finely toothed, and downy at the base beneath. 

 Flowers white or pink, borne in short, broad corymbs, 2 ins. or more long ; 

 each flower \ in. long. Fruit a three-celled pear-shaped inflated capsule, 

 2 ins. long, i in. wide, tapering gradually at the base, but terminating in a 

 short, sharp point. Seeds shining grey, about the size of large shot. - 



Native of Central China; first discovered in the province of Hupeh by 

 Henry. It was introduced to cultivation by Wilson in 1908 when collecting 

 for Harvard University, and by him is considered likely to prove attractive 

 in gardens. So far as I am aware, it has not yet flowered in cultivation. 



