RHAMNACE^E. 45 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



1. Yitis. Leaves simple, heart-shaped, and variously lobed. 



2. A in PC lop sis. Leaves compound-digitate, of 5 serrate leaflets. 



1, VIT1S, Tourn. GRAPE. 



1. C. sestiva'lis, Michx. (NORTHERN FOX-GRAPE.) Leaves 

 and branches woolly. Berries large, dark purple or amber- 

 coloured. Moist thickets. 



2. C. COrdifo'lia, Michx. (FROST GRAPE.) Leaves smooth 

 or nearly so, bright green on both sides, heart-shaped, 

 sharply serrate. Berries small, blue or black. Var. ripa'ria, 

 Michx., has broader cut-lobed leaves. Banks of streams. 



2. AMPELOP'SIS, Michx. VIRGINIA CREEPER. 

 A. quinquefo'lia, Michx. A common woody vine in low 

 grounds. Leaves digitate, of 5 oblong-lanceolate leaflets. 

 Tendrils with sucker-like disks at the end, by which they 

 cling to walls, trunks of trees, etc. Fruit a small black 

 berry. 



ORDER XXVII. RHAMNA'CE^E. (BUCKTHORN FAMILY.) 



Shrubs with simple stipulate leaves, and small regular 



perigynous greenish or whitish flowers. Stamens opposite 



the petals, and with them inserted on the margin of a fleshy 



disk which lines the calyx-tube. Fruit a berry-like drupe, 



or a pod. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



1. Kliaiii mis. Petals minute, or none. Drupe berry-like. Calyx and 



disk free from the ovary. 



2. Cenno'tkiis. Petals white, long-clawed, hooded. Fruit dry, dehis- 



cent. Calyx and disk adherent to the base of the ovary. 



1. lili A 1IM S, Tourn. BUCKTHORN. 



R. alnifo'lia, L'Her. A low erect shrub, not thorny, 

 with oval, acute, serrate leaves, and apetalous flowers. 

 Fruit a 3-seeded berry. Swamps. 



2. CEANO'THUS, L. NEW JERSEY TEA. 



1. C. America' nus, L. A shrubby plant with downy 

 branches, and ovate, 3-ribbed, serrate leaves. Flowers in 

 white clusters at the summit of the naked flower-branohes. 



