CHAPTER LV: THE TUPELOS AND THE 



DOGWOODS 



Family Cornace^ 



The cornel family is a large temperate zone group comprising 

 fifteen genera, a few of which are tropical. Comparatively few 

 species are arborescent. Two genera in the United States have 

 species of tree habit. They both include ornamental trees with 

 showy flowers and fruit, and foliage of exceptional beauty. The 

 wood of all is extremely hard and close textured. 



KEY TO GENERA 



A. Leaves alternate; flowers and fruits inconspicuous. 



I. Genus NYSSA, Linn. 



THE TUPELOS 



A A. Leaves opposite (except alternijolia); flowers and fruits 

 showy. 



2. Genus CORNUS, Linn. 



THE DOGWOODS 



THE TUPELOS 

 Genus NYSSA, Linn. 



Trees of picturesque habit, with twiggy, contorted branches; 

 growing in wet soil, ^ooc? cross grained, tough. L^^tr5 alternate, 

 simple, deciduous, leathery. Flowers minute, greenish, in short 

 racemes or heads. Fruit, a fleshy drupe. 



KEY TO SPECIES 



A. Stones of fruit with rounded ridges; leaves broad, blunt 

 at apex; fruit small. (N . sylvatica) tupelc 



AA. Stones of fruit with sharp, winged ridges; fruit large. 



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