Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 329 



Within the area where the mistletoe thrives the sycamore is a 

 fairly common host of this parasite ; along the Cumberland River 

 we saw numerous trees thus affected, though it is not so susceptible 

 as the blue-gum and elm. 



The fuzz of the sycamore leaves, when breathed into the nose 

 or trachea, causes a violent and distressing cough. 



Family 75. Rosacea. Rose Family 

 397. ninebark 



OPULASTER OPULIFOLIUS (L.) Kuntzc 



Not common ; one plant, which has long since disappeared, grew 

 on the north shore of Long Point; a small patch was found in a 

 gully east of Overmyer's; cultivated for ornament on the Culver 

 Military Academy grounds. Leafed out by May 4, 1901. Just 

 coming into blossom June 10 at Long Point. 



The ninebark is a rather variable plant, sometimes not par- 

 ticularly attractive, but at its best one of the most attractive shrubs 

 we have. Indeed, there are few shrubs that can compete with it, 

 for there are forms ornamental in flower, some in fruit, and some 

 in foliage. If all of these three forms could be combined into one 

 the plant would be almost incomparable. 



The plants in flower resemble a large-flowered spiraea of the van 

 houttei type and are borne in numerous many-flowered corymbs. 

 These are followed by clusters of inflated pods — five pods to each 

 flower. These pods are frequently green in color, when they have 

 no especial ornamental value; some growing in a rich mucky swamp 

 in Allen County, Indiana, had the pods a rich red color ; these were 

 remarkably handsome, more striking indeed than the flowers. In 

 the park about the ellipse at Washington, D. C, is a golden-leaved 

 form, the leaves of which with the glinting of a peculiar golden 

 shade mingled in with greener portions, give a splendid richness 

 of color hardly to be equalled in any other style of leaf-coloration. 



398. MEADOW-SWEET 



SPIRAEA ALBA Du Roi 



Scattered through low grounds in the vicinity of the lake, as 

 about Long Point, near Lost Lake, and in Walley's marsh. A 

 rather handsome erect shrub with steeple-shaped panicles of white, 

 slightly fragrant flowers. Leafing out near Long Point, April 29, 

 1901; in flower by Lost Lake July 26. Much in flower in Walley's 

 marsh, August 19, 1906. 



