88 TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA 



and streams in the eastern half of the coastal plain. 

 Very similar to the Black Gum, but the fruits usu- 

 ally are only two on a stem, and the stones have promi- 

 nent rounded ridges ; base of the tree usually swollen, 

 and when growing in the water, with erect roots that 

 rise to the surface. 



145. Nyssa aquatica L. Tupelo Gum. 



A large tree of the deep swamps near the coast. 

 Base much enlarged, leaves 4-12 inches long, ovate, 

 long pointed, edges entire or with a few large teeth, 

 smooth or nearly so and dark green above, pale and 

 hairy beneath; fruits large, dark purple, about 1 

 inch long, one to the stem, stones with sharp promi- 

 nent ridges. 



HEATH FAMILY 

 (ERICACEAE) 



146. Oxydendrum arboreum (L.) DC. Sour Wood. 



A small tree with shiny, pointed, elliptic leaves 

 which have a decidedly sour taste. The small, white, 

 sweet-smelling flowers are formed on finger like race- 

 mes which are grouped at the ends of branches in 

 summer. They remind one of Lily of the Valley 

 and make a very attractive centerpiece with ferns. 

 Bees seek them and from them make the esteemed 

 sour-wood honey. The tree is scattered plentifully 

 through most of our woods from the mountains (un- 

 der 4000 feet) through the Piedmont, then retiring 

 to bluffs of streams and descending to the coast 



