212 



The Bayberry Family 



thick, revolute, and sharply toothed on the margins, except toward the base, very 

 glandular when unfolding, soon becoming dark green and shining above, yellowish 

 green, smooth or nearly so, with small black glands and prominent midrib be- 

 neath; the leaf-stalk is usually less than i cm. long. The flowers are monoecious, 



both kinds appearing on the same 

 twigs and frequently in the same 

 catkins, from April to June, accord- 

 ing to latitude. The staminate cat- 

 kins are often 2.5 cm. long; their 

 scales are ovate, sharp-pointed, hairy, 

 with a pair of small bractlets at the 

 base; stamens about 16, their fila- 

 ments united below ; anthers oblong, 

 sHghtly notched and projecting be- 

 yond the scales. The pistillate cat- 

 kins are above the staminate ones, 

 with often a few catkins bearing 

 both kinds of flowers occurring be- 

 tween them; the ovary is ovoid, 

 narrowed into 2 slender, red, ex- 

 serted styles, stigmatic on their inner 

 faces. The fruit ripens from August 

 to October in short, crowded, spike- 

 like clusters, falhng off during the 



winter. It is globose, 5 mm. in di- 

 FiG. 174. California Bayberry. , , ., " 



ameter, purple, its waxy covermg 



thin; seed brown. 



The wood of the California bayberry is very hard, brittle but strong, close- 

 grained, grayish or reddish brown; its specific gravity is about 0.67. It is used for 

 cabinet work and in turnery. The bark and leaves are locally used in domestic 

 medicine. 



It is sometimes planted in California in parks and gardens. 



