TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA 57 



together on a common peduncle which is less than an 

 inch long; fruits dark blue, about % inch long, one 

 seeded. 



81. Persea pubescens (Pursh.) Sarg. Red Bay. 



A small tree of the eastern swamps similar to the 

 last, but with the new twigs and leaf stalks rusty vel- 

 vety, and the leaves velvety beneath ; leaves 4-6 inches 

 long ; peduncles 2-3 inches long ; fruits about % inch 

 long. This is the common Red Bay through most of 

 the coastal plain. The smooth species (P. borbonia) 

 seems to prefer the proximity of the sea. 



WITCH HAZEL FAMILY 

 (HAMAMELIDACEAE) 



82. Hamamelis virginiana L. Witch Hazel. 



Usually a shrub, but becoming a small tree to- 

 wards the mountains. Common along streams and 

 in moist woods through the Piedmont and in the 

 mountains to an elevation of 4000 feet, descending 

 sparingly along shady bluffs into the coastal plain. 

 Leaves oval to elliptic, with a wavy, barely toothed 

 edge; flowers yellowish with long slender petals, ap- 

 pearing in the fall; fruit a scurfy, blunt pod con- 

 taining two polished seeds which ripen in summer 

 and are shot for some distance by the sudden popping 

 of the pod. Date of flowering: November 9, 1913. 



83. Liqnidamber Styraciflua L. Sweet Gum. 



A common large tree with fragrant, five-pointed 

 leaves, winged branchlets, and round, prickly, polish- 



