484 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



THE DAPHNE. Daphne. 



Low shrubs, both deciduous and e\-ergreen, growing in shad) 

 places. 



The Mezereon Pixk. Daphne mczcriitm. — A low, fastigiate, 

 deciduous shrub, valued for the earliness of its very bright red 

 blossoms, which are formed upon the branches in March and April 

 before the leaves appear. They are about a half inch in diameter. 

 The berries are red and ripe in September. In a deep loam and 

 open exposure it becomes a shrub four to six feet high, and of 

 equal breadth. The berries and leaves are both poisonous if eaten. 

 There is a white-flowered variety, D. m. flore alba; a purple- 

 leaved, D. van Houtti ; and an autumn bloomer, D. fn. auttitnnaie. 

 The latter blooms in November and December, and has larger 

 leaves and a more spreading habit than the common mezereon. 



There are numerous species of Daphne, but no others of known 

 value except the Daphne cneomm, which is mentioned among 

 evergreens. 



THE ELDER. Sambucus. 



The Common Elder, 5. canadensis. — This is the Canadian 

 elder of the English. A large spreading bush from seven to ten 

 feet high, and of greater breadth ; with a flattened umbrella-shaped 

 top. Its compound leaves are composed of nine leaflets, of a light 

 green color, and glossy on the upper surface. The flowers are 

 small, white, and in large flat clusters, in July. The fruit, about 

 the size of the currant, is bluish-black, good to eat, and excellent 

 for wine ; ripe in September. The spreading form, handsome com- 

 pound glossy leaves, and showy fruit of our wild elder, sometimes 

 make it a shrub of considerable beauty. 



The Black-fruited Elder. S. Jiigra. — This is the common 

 elder of the English, and a native of Europe. It grows as a tree 

 rapidly when young, but remains stationary after the tree has at- 

 tained twenty or thirty feet in height, and equal breadili. The 

 leaves are pinnate, of five leaflets, smooth, and of a deep green 



