DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERING SHRUBS. 435 



The foliage is handsome ; the flowers are disposed in 

 large panicles, first green, changing to a reddish-brown, 

 and afterwards a brownish smoke color. The flowers, or 

 appendages to them, have the appearance of downy silk, 

 in light, airy masses, and the plant is nearly covered with 

 these graceful clusters, which have some resemblance to 

 puff's of smoke emerging from among the graceful leaves. 

 It is propagated from layers very readily. 



We have two poisonous species of Hhus, which are 

 briefly mentioned that they may be avoided. H. venena- 

 ta^ the Poison Sumach or Dogwood, is a handsome shrub, 

 with foliage somewhat resembling that of H. glabra, but 

 the leaflets are entire. The berries are in loose panicles, 

 smooth and whitish. H. Toxicodendron, the Poison Ivy, 

 is a very common climber upon trees, rocks, stone walls, 

 etc. The leaves are compound, of three variously lobed 

 or entire leaflets. This character of the leaves will dis- 

 tinguish it from the Virginia Creeper, for which it is some- 

 times mistaken, as that has five leaflets. To some persons 

 these species are poisonous to the touch, and very suscep- 

 tible persons are aflTected by being in their vicinity. 



RIBES. — Currant. — Gooseberry. 



[The name said to be of Arabic origin.] 



Ribes Sans^uineum. — Red-flowering Currant. — This is a 

 very handsome ornamental species, producing pendent ra- 

 cemes of rich deep-red flowers, in May. The shrub is 

 about three feet high ; the foliage elegant. The plant is 

 easily propagated by cuttings. I find it is rather tender, 

 the extremities of the branches being often killed in this 

 climate. Probably, if planted the north side of a wall, 

 or where it is partially shaded with evergreens, it would 

 succeed better. There is a white-flowered variety, and 

 one with double flowers, which is very fine. 



