XIV 

 OTHER EVERGREEN HOLLIES 



1CASSINE, Walters = I. vomitaria, I. re- 

 ligiosa, and Cassine caroliniana. Com- 

 monly called " Cassena." This is one 

 of the least ornamental of the hardy 

 evergreen Hollies, and it is not grown in gardens 

 to any great extent. It is found in the Southern 

 United States, being specially abundant in 

 swamps and rich moist soil in Florida, Carolina 

 and Virginia, where it forms a bush or small 

 tree 12 to 30 feet in height. The leaves are 

 small, dark green and glabrous, with crenate or 

 serrate margins. White flowers are produced in 

 June, which are followed by red fruits. It is 

 reported to have been considered a holy tree by 

 many of the southern tribes of American Indians, 

 who used it during their religious rites and 

 councils. The various tribes are stated to have 

 made pilgrimages to places where it grew 

 abundantly, for the purpose of collecting the 

 leaves and branches which were boiled, and the 

 liquid drunk several days in succession for 

 medicinal purposes. It is probably on this 

 account that the names of I. vomitaria and I. 



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