340 CHIONANTHUS 



C. VIRGINICA, Linnceus. FRINGE-TREE. 



A deciduous shrub or small tree, 10 to 20 (or even 30 ft.) high ; branchlets 

 stout, stiff, downy when young. Leaves oblong, narrowly oval or obovate, 

 always tapering at the base, usually at the apex ; 2 to 8 ins. long, rather 

 less than half as wide, not toothed ; bright green above and downy on the 

 midrib, paler below, and downy especially on the veins ; stalks downy, 

 | to i in. long. Flowers pure white, slightly fragrant ; produced during 

 June in very lax panicles 4 to 8 ins. long ; these panicles are crowded 



CHIONANTHUS RETUSA. 



at the upper joints of the preceding year's growths, and form a dense, mop- 

 like mass beneath the new growths. Each branch of the panicle bears 

 three flowers, and springs from the axil of a leaf-like bract which is 

 occasionally I to i| ins. long at the base of the panicle, becoming smaller 

 towards the end ; the bracts persist to the fruiting stage. Petals four or 

 five, each f to i J ins. long, ^ to ^ in. wide ; calyx minute, with pointed 

 lobes. Fruit roundish or egg-shaped, dark blue, f- in. long, borne OD 

 pendulous stalks. 



Native of the eastern United States, from Pennsylvania southward ; intro- 

 duced in 1736. This is one of the most beautiful and striking of N. American 

 shrubs, and is perfectly hardy in this country. I have never seen it flower 



