42 TIMBER TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



eastern part, and altogether wanting in the high mountains. It 

 reproduces itself freely. 



The large deciduous leaves are sharp pointed at the apex and 

 contracted at the base. The flowers, which are nearly 2 inches 

 across, are a dull deep red at maturity. The edible fruit is dark 

 brown, almost black, oblong, rounded, 3 to 5 inches long by I to 

 1 inches broad, and from 6 to 12 ounces in weight. 



The pointed winter-buds, I of an inch in length, are covered 

 with rusty brown hairs. 



The wood is light, soft, weak, coarse-grained, spongy, with the 

 annual layers clearly marked ; light yellow in color ; the thin sap- 

 wood somewhat lighter. 



Gordonia lasianthus, Ellis. 

 (BAY. BULL BAY. LOBLOLLY BAY.) 



A medium size tree, with a narrow, compact head, and dark 

 red-brown scaly bark, broken into regular shallow furrows and 

 parallel rounded ridges. It reaches a height of 75 and a diameter 

 of 2 feet ; or is rarely a low shrub. 



It occurs from the southern part of Virginia to southern Flor- 

 ida and westward to the valley of the Mississippi river. It is 

 most common in Georgia and eastern Florida, reaching its best 

 development in damp situations. 



In North Carolina it occurs in the coast region, where it reaches 

 a height of 50 to 70 feet, and a diameter of 18 to 24 inches. 



It bears some seed nearly every year, and full seed years are 

 frequent. Young seedlings are common throughout the range of 

 the species. 



The thick dark evergreen leaves are oblong, pointed at the 

 apex and narrowly contracted at the base. The fragrant white 

 flowers appear late in summer; and the fruit is a woody, egg- 

 shaped capsule. The narrowly pointed winter-buds are covered 

 with pale silky hairs. 



The wood is light, soft, close-grained, not strong or durable; 



