308 CAPRIFOLIACE^. ViBURNtiM. 



two pairs at or near the base of the petiole, subulate, often tipped with a gland. Cyme 3-4 

 inches in diameter ; the sterile flowers few or numerous, nearly an inch in diameter. Calyx- 

 teeth nearly obsolete. Drupes half an inch long, juicy, intensely acid and slightly bitter, 

 translucent when dry. 



Swamps and banks of streams : rather common in the western part of the State, particularly 

 along the banks of the Mohawk ; rare elsewhere. Fl. May - June. Fr. End of September. 

 The acid fruit is sometimes used as a substitute for cranberries. The common Snowball 

 Bush of our gardens is a variety of this species, with the flowers all sterile. The two plants, 

 in the wild state, do not differ sufficiently to be considered separate species. 



9. Viburnum lantanoides, Michx. Hobble-bush. 



Leaves ovate-orbicular, cordate, with a short abrupt acumination, finely and unequally or 

 doubly serrate, membranaceous ; the lower surface, and especially the prominent veins and 

 petioles, tomentose with a stellate rusty pubescence ; cymes sessile, the exterior flowers sterile 

 and very large ; fruit ovoid, the nucleus with a longitudinal groove on each side. — Michx. 

 fl. 1. p. 179; Pursh, fl. l.p. 202 ; Torr.fl. 1. p. 319; Bigel.fl. Bost. p. 117; DC. prodr. 

 4. p. 326 ; Hook. fl. Bor.-Am. 1. p. 280 ; Beck, hot. p. 156 ; Torr. ^ Gr. fl. N. Am. 2. 

 p. 18. V. Lantana, ^. grandifolium, Ait.Kew. (ed. 1.) 1. j>. 373. V. Lantana, /3. Canadense, 

 Pers. syn. 1. p. 327. V. grandifolium, Smith, in Rees, cycl. no. 14. 



A low shrub, with long flexuous reddish and often procumbent branches. Leaves 3-6 

 inches long, and of nearly the same breadth ; when young, clothed (as well as the cyme) with 

 a copious rusty pulverulent pubescence, much of which at length disappears, beautifully veined 

 underneath : petioles often with small stipular appendages at the base. Cymes 4-5 inches 

 in diameter ; the sterile flowers usually numerous, very large. Stamens about the length of 

 the lobes of the corolla. Drupes nearly black when ripe. 



Shady primitive forests ; common in the northern and western parts of the State. Fl. May. 

 Fr. September. The long prostrate branches of this shrub are often an impediment to the 

 pedestrian in woods where it abounds : hence its common name. 



