Handbook of Trees of the ^ortiiekn States and Can. 



409 



The Bottom-bush 

 part of its vast ra 



throughout the greater 

 igc, oxlc'iuliiiy from the 

 Atlantic to tiie Tacilic, could only be called a 

 shrub, rarely becoming a small tree in favor- 

 able situations. In southern Arkansas and 

 eastern Texas, however, it sometimes attains 

 the height of 40 or 50 ft., with an irregular 

 top of crooked spreading or upright branches 

 and a clear often leaning trunk 1 ft. in diameter. 



It inhabits the borders of sluggish streams, 

 swamps and bayous, venturing farther out into 

 the water than most of its neighbors. In 

 southern Arkansas, where it attains its largest 

 dimensions, it is found skirting the borders of 

 river-bottom ponds, in company with the 

 Swamp Privet, Planer-tree, Water Locust and 

 various Willows. In these regions it is com- 

 monly called the Button ^Villow — a name 

 given to it on account of the company it keeps 

 rather than any relationship to the true 

 Willows. 



Its bark is rich in tannin, and is said to pos- 

 sess medicinal properties. 



Leaves ovate to oval, 4-7 in. long, rounded or 

 cuneatc at base, acute or acuminate, membrane- 

 aceous, entire, dark green above, paler and with 

 prominent light yellow arcuate veins beneath ; 

 petioles stout, V2 to % in. long and between them 

 are small triangular stipules. Floiccrs white, 

 very fragrant and nectiferous, in panicled heads 

 about 1 in. in diameter ; calyx longer than the 

 ovary ; anthers nearly sessile and discharging 

 their pollen before the t!c wn- opens. Fruit in 

 heads % in. or less in (iianii'tcr.' 



1. For genus see p. 4.")6. 



