Handbook of Tkkks of tjik Xoktiikkn States and Ca.xada. 



Tliis interesting tree attains tlie height of 

 from r)()-75 tt., with trunk 1 Mj-2 ft. in diame- 

 ter, clothed in a gray rough scaly bark, and 

 strongly biittressed at base. It puts out but 

 few large branches and along these many short 

 contorted branches, the whole forming a top 

 of peculiar aspect. Its dark green leaves with 

 sickle-shaped leaflets and large clusters of 

 golden translucent fruit terminating each 

 branchlet are features of singular interest, and 

 in a measure compensate for its ungainly habit 

 of growth. On account of a resemblance in its 

 fruit to that of the China-tree {Melia .4 :r- 

 daracli) it is simetim.es called the Wild China- 

 tree. It inhabits chiefly bottom-lands in com- 

 pany with the Pecan, Nutmeg Hickory, Mis- 

 sissippi Hackberry, Prickly Ash, Honej' Locust, 

 Drummond Maple, etc. 



The name Soap-berry is applied to this and 

 the allied trees on account of detersive prop- 

 erties found in the pulp of its fruits, which 

 when rubbed between the hands in water, form 

 a lather and can be used as a substitute for 

 soap. 



Its wood is heavy, a cu. ft. when absolutely 

 dry weighing 50.64 lbs., strong and splitting 

 easily between the rings. These are properties 

 which make it valuable for splints in basket 

 making for which it is to some extent em- 

 ployed.! 



Leaves glabrous or nearly so, with slender not 

 winged rachises and 9-11 pairs of lanceolate 

 usually falcate acuminate short-petiolate ol)ll(nie 

 entire leaflets '2-^ in. long, acute at base, glal)roiis 

 above, pubescent, thickish. Floircrs ( May-.hnie ) 

 about .3-16 in. across, white, in terminal compound 

 panicles 6-9 in. long. Fruit ripening in early au- 

 tumn and remaining, more or less shriveled, on the 

 branches until spring, oval, about Vj in. long, 

 yellow, translucent, glabrous and sligbfly if at all 

 keeled ; seed dark brown. -' 



1. A. W., XI, 254. 



2. For genus see pp. 447-448. 





