Handbook of Trees of the Nohtiikk.x States amj Canada. 317 



The Yaupon is a small tree occasionally 

 attaining tlie height of 20 or 30 ft., with dense 

 top of many branches and usually more or less 

 inclined trunk frum ti to 10 or 12 in. in di 

 ameter. It is often sliruhhy, sending vip several 

 trunks from a common base. It is confined 

 to the immediate vicinity of the coast, seeming 

 to require the influence of the sea breezes in 

 order to maintain its existence, excepting in 

 the lower Mississippi valley where it ventures 

 farther inland. It is a tree of rare beauty in 

 aulunin and winter, when its brilliant red 

 berries and handsome dark shining green leaves 

 on livid branchlets arc sought for Christmas 

 decorations. The leaves of the species possess 

 strong emetic properties, as implied in both 

 the specific name and one of the vernacular 

 names — Emetic Holly, — which was a fact 

 known to the Indians in earlj' days. From 

 these leaves they made their " black drink " 

 which Avas used both as a medicine and cere- 

 monial drink, and to partake of it they jour- 

 neyed from far inland to the coast at regular 

 intervals. 



The wood is rather heavy, hard, close- 

 grained and of a creamy white color, suitable 

 for use in turnery, for inlaid work, etc. .A 

 cubic foot when absolutely drj* weighs 45.31 

 lbs. 



Leaves persistent, elliptical or ohlonj;, 1-2 in. 

 long, obtuse at both ends, crenate. coriacooiis. 

 lustrous dark ereen above, paler l)eneath : poti<ii'>s 

 short (about Vs in.) and thick. Flntrrrx in silnli- 

 rous cymes from the axils of tlie loaves of tbe 

 previous year, tlie staminate short-pfdinicli'd and 

 several-flowered : the pistillate 1 or '-'-(lowered an<l 

 sessile. Fruit ripening late in autumn, s\iliglo- 

 bose, brisht red. about '4 in. in diameter, often in 

 prcat almndance and persisting until spring with 

 stems al)out '4 in. long : nutlets obtuse at both 

 ends and prominently riblied. 



1. Syn. lie J 



Walt. 



