Handbook of Tkkks 



OF 



TiiK Noin jiKjjx States and Canada. 345 



This interesting tree attains the height of 

 from 50-75 ft., witli trunk 1 Vj-2 ft. in diame- 

 ter, clothed in a gray rough scaly bark and 

 strongly buttressed at base. It puts out but 

 few large branches and along these many short 

 contorted branches, the whole forming a top 

 of peculiar aspect. Its dark green leaves with 

 sickle-shaped leaflets and large clusters of 

 golden translucent fruit terminating each 

 branchlet are features of singular interest, and 

 in a measure compensate for its ungainly habit 

 of growth. On account of a resemblance in its 

 fruit to that of tlie Cliina-tree (Melia Aze- 

 daracJi) it is simetimos called the Wild China- 

 tree. It inhabits chiefly bottom-lands in com- 

 pany with the Pecan. Nutmeg Hickory, Mis- 

 sissippi Hackberry, Prickly Ash, Honey Locust, 

 Drunimond ^luple, etc. 



The name Soap-berry is applied to this and 

 the allied trees on account of detersive prop- 

 erties found in the pulp of its fruits, which 

 when rubbed between the hands in water, form 

 a lather and can be used as a substitute for 

 soap. 



Its wood is heavy, a cu. ft. when absolutely 



dry weighing 50.64 lbs., strong and splitting 



easily between the rings. These are properties 



which make it valuable for splints in basket 



making for which it is to some extent em- 



ployed.i 



Leaves glabrous or noarl.v so, with slondor not 

 winged rachises and !>-ll pairs of lancrdlato 

 usually falcate acuminatp short-iictioliitc <il)ll(|uo 

 entire" loafiots 2-:? in. long, acuti' at hasi', glabrous 

 above, pubescent, thickish. Floinm (May-.Tuno) 

 about ."J-ie in. across, white, in terminal compound 

 panicles 6-9 in. long. Fndt ripening in early au- 

 tumn and remaining, more or loss shriveled, on the 

 branches until spring, oval, about '!> in. long, 

 yellow, translucent, glabrous and slightly if at all 

 keeled ; seed dark brown. - 



1. A. W., XI, 254. 



2. F'or genus see pp. 447-448. 



