FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 117 



Myrica (Myricaceae), 



MYEICA ASPLENIFOLIA (syn Comptonia asplenifolia). Sweet 

 Fern. North America, 1714. This is a plant of some- 

 what straggling growth, growing to about 4 feet high, 

 and with linear, pinnatified, sweet-smelling leaves. The 

 flowers are of no decorative value, being small and in- 

 conspicuous, but for the fragrant leaves alone the shrub 

 will always be prized. It grows well in peaty soil, is very 

 hardy, and may be increased by means of offsets. This 

 shrub is nearly allied to our native Myrica, or Sweet 

 Gale. 



M. CALIFOKNICA. Californian Wax Myrtle. California, 

 1848. In this we have a valuable evergreen shrub that 

 is hardy beyond a doubt, and that will thrive in the very 

 poorest classes of soils. In appearance it somewhat 

 resembles our native plant, but is preferable to it on 

 account of the deep-green, persistent leaves. The leaves 

 are about 3 inches long, narrow, and produced in tufts 

 along the branches, while the flowers are greenish-white. 

 Unlike our native species, the Californian Wax Myrtle has 

 no pleasant aroma to the leaves. 



M. CERIFERA. Common Candle-berry Myrtle. Canada, 

 1699. This is a neat little shrub, usually about 4 feet 

 high, with oblong-lanceolate leaves, and inconspicuous 

 reddish catkins. 



M. GALE. Sw'eet Gale or Bog Myrtle. This has in- 

 conspicuous brownish -green flowers, and is included here 

 on account of the deliciously fragrant foliage, which makes 

 it a favourite with cultivators generally. It is a native 

 shrub, growing from 3 feet to 4 feet high, with deciduous, 

 linear-lanceolate leaves, and clustered catkins appearing 

 before the leaves. A moor or bog plant, and of great 

 value for planting by the pond or lake side, or along with 

 the so-called American plants, for the aroma given off by 

 the foliage. 



