56 TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA 



sandy southeastern part. Rarely over 15 feet high 

 or three inches in diameter; with somewhat the ap- 

 pearance of the Umbrella Tree, but the leaves are 

 smaller, 4-8 inches long, and are alternate along the 

 branches instead of clustered at the ends. Fruit yel- 

 lowish-brown, short, thick, sausage-shaped, edible. 

 Dates of flowering: April 11, 1903; May T, 1909; 

 April 12, 1910 ; April 8, 1913 ; April 16, 1916. Ex- 

 amples: trees in swamp of Bowlin's Creek, below 

 Handcock's bridge. 



LAUREL FAMILY 



(LAURACEAE) 



79. Sassafras variifolium (Salisb.) Ktze. Sassafras. 



A small aromatic tree of dry soil, very common 

 over the whole state except the higher slopes of the 

 mountains. Bark roughly furrowed ; leaves thin, va- 

 riously shaped; fruits blue with red stalks, borne 

 only on female trees. Dates of flowering : March 20, 

 1903; April 9, 1908; March 20, 1909; March 21, 

 1910; March 16, 1913; April 13, 1915; March 

 27, 1916. Examples: trees below peach orchard, 

 Glenn Burnie Farm. 



80. Persea borbonia (L.) Spreng. Smooth Red Bay. 



A small, evergreen, aromatic tree inhabiting 

 swamps near the sea. Leaves thick, rather narrow, 

 2-4 inches long, pointed at both ends, shiny green 

 above, pale and nearly smooth beneath ; twigs smooth 

 or sparsely hairy ; flowers small, creamy, two or three 



