202 



ARBUTUS 



about J in. long, dull white ; flower-stalks downy ; calyx small, greenish ; fruit 

 about the size of a large pea, orange-coloured. 



Native of California ; introduced by Douglas in 1827. This is one of the 

 most beautiful of all broad-leaved trees, and as seen at its best in the moist rich 

 valleys of N. California is by far the noblest of all the heath family. It is 

 especially noticeable for the perfectly smooth red branches. In the milder 

 parts of Britain, it succeeds very well, and at Kew is perfectly hardy, except 



ARBUTUS MENZIESII. 



that in a young state the vigorous sappy shoots are apt to be cut back in 

 winter. It should be propagated by imported seed, which is obtainable from 

 American nurserymen and germinates well. The young plants should as 

 soon as possible be given a permanent place, as they transplant badly. 

 Mr W. L. Jepson says that in N. California no other tree makes so strong 

 an appeal to man's imagination as this, and that wherever it grows, " the 

 traveller, forester, hunter, artist, and botanist is held by the spell of its crown 

 of flowers and masses of red fruits, its terra-cotta bark and burnished foliage.' 5 

 It is far too rarely seen in cultivation. When once established it grows 



