476 



PLANTS AND MAN 



for their showy white or pink flowers for which they have been 

 introduced into this country from their native homes in China, 

 Japan and the Mediterranean region. 



Among our most ornamental flowering trees are the various 

 species of dogwood. Dogwoods (cf. fig. 221) are shrubs and small 

 trees common to the northeastern and Pacific coast states; 

 beneath each cluster of small yellowish green flowers are four 

 conspicuous white or pink bracts which resemble petals. The 

 HORSECHESTNUT, likewise a conspicuously flowered tree, has its 



native home in Greece; it is 

 grown as an ornamental because 

 of its large erect clusters of white 

 flowers. Related species include 

 the buckeyes, common to our 

 central and western states. 



The ACACIA is a member of 

 the Pea Family which is often 

 cultivated as an ornamental in 

 the warmer portions of the 

 United States. A great number 

 of the species used as ornamen- 

 tals come from Australia. The 

 majority have delicate pinnately- 

 compound foilage and globular 

 clusters of small golden yellow 

 flowers. Eucalyptus or Australian gum (fig. 291) of the Myrtle 

 Family is another Australian tree which has become a common 

 street tree in California. The leaves, narrow and tapering, hang 

 in graceful clusters. The aromatic flowers have a fused perianth 

 which forms a lid over the stamens and pistils; when this lid 

 falls off the yellow or scarlet stamens become the most con- 

 spicuous part of the flower. 



The Palm Family has contributed a great number of exotic 

 trees which are grown along the streets and in the gardens of our 

 southern and southwestern cities. Some have feather-like and 

 pinnately-compound leaves of huge size which form terminal 

 clusters at the top of the unbranched trunk. Such are the 

 coconut palms (cf. fig. 150) probably native to South America 



Fig. 290. — Mountain ash is a 

 small tree with pinnately compound 

 leaves and clusters of orange-red 

 fruits. 



