244 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



KERRIA. 



Kerria Japonica, formerly Corchorus Japonica. Japan 

 Globe-flower. This is an elegant shrub, growing three or 

 four feet high, producing a profusion of double yellow globular 

 flowers, from June to September. The branches are bright 

 deep-green ; the foliage handsome. It is a little tender in 

 some locations, the tops being frequently killed down ; but it 

 sends up fresh shoots, which flower the same season. It is 

 easily propagated by suckers. 



LAURUS. 



Laurus benzoin, or Fever Bush or Benzoin odoriferum, 

 Spice Bush. " The Spice Bush is a shrub, from four to ten 

 feet high, remarkable for its graceful form, and large, hand- 

 some leaves, particularly when found growing in the deep 

 shade of a rnoist forest. Such a situation, where it seems 

 most vigorous, is not favorable to the production of its flowers 

 and fruit. In April, or the first part of May, clusters of from 

 three to six flowers, of a greenish-yellow, on very short pedi- 

 cels, appear from buds, distinct from the leaf-buds, in the axils 

 of the last year's leaves. Fruit, a dark-red, or purple ; drupe, 

 (berry,) of an oval shape, in bunches from two to five. The 

 stem is short and stout, not so long as the drupe. The plant 

 derives its botanical name from its aromatic odor, resembling 

 gum benzoin. This is to some persons always disagreeable." 



The proper soil for the Spice Bush is the same as that for 

 the Azalea, Rhododendron, &c. 



LAVENDULA. 



Lavender. 



Lavendula, so named for its use in fomentations and 

 baths. 



