186 MAPLES: AUCUBA 



above. Leaves fine yellow in autumn, often disfigured by 

 black blotches due to the fungus Rhytisma. 



Venation palmate and like that of A. pseudoplatanus, 

 but the secondaries on the midrib about ^ the length 

 of the latter apart. 



[Hartig pointed out that the leaves of A. pseudo- 

 platanus and A. platanoides have a tuft of hairs at the 

 junction of the lamina and petiole ; and that A. campestre 

 and A. pseudoplatanus bear small shortly-stalked capitate 

 glands on the upper surface of the primary veins, which 

 catch dust, pollen, &c. 



Acer pseudoplatanus is easily distinguished from A. 

 platanoides by the blunter and more rounded lobes, the 

 sinus deep and acute, and the want of milky juice; from 

 A. campestre by the much larger size, narrower sinus, and 

 the pubescence. Acer platanoides differs from the Plane 

 (p. 230) not only in having opposite leaves, but also in its 

 venation and its lack of stellate hairs ; its buds are also 

 not buried, and the base of the petiole not hollowed into 

 a cup.] 



(b) Leaves not lobed, at most sinuate or toothed. 



[For (ii) (i) Margins of leaf serrate or dentate, 



see p. 190.] 



(a) Leaves large, lanceolate, polished, ever- 

 green coriaceous. 



Aucuba japonica, Thunb. Aucuba (Fig. 49). Evergreen 

 shrub, with opposite, petiolate, exstipulate, coriaceous, 

 shining green leaves. Lamina ovate-lanceolate acuminate, 

 coarsely serrate ; petiole dilated below, articulated. The 

 leaves are often variegated with yellow blotches. Dead 

 leaves brown. Often called Laurel, but has nothing in 

 common with either the true Laurels (Laurus) or the 

 Cherry Laurel (Prunus). 



