92 



rugosa. This species grows in low ground on the borders of 

 streams, borders of swamps and in almost extinct sloughs near 

 Lake Michigan. It is also found along Pigeon River in the eastern part 

 of Lagrange County. In the vicinity of Mineral Springs in Porter 

 County it is locally a common shrub or tree. It has the habit of stooling 

 out, and commonly the several specimens will be deflected from a ver- 

 tical from 20-45 degrees. The largest specimens are from 1-1.4 dm. in 

 diameter and about 10 m. high. 



Remarks. This species could be used to good advantage in orna- 

 mental planting in low ground. It grows rapidly, is easily transplanted 

 and its foliage is dense and attractive. 



2. Alnus rugosa (DuRoi) Sprengel. SMOOTH ALDER. Plate 37. 

 Shrubs with fluted or angled trunks, resembling Carpinus; bark thin, 

 smooth or nearly so, reddish-brown, weathering gray; twigs hairy at 

 first, becoming gray or reddish-brown by the end of the season and 

 more or less glabrous and covered with small dark specks; leaves obo- 

 vate, barely acute or rounded at apex, wedge-shape at base, average 

 blades 6-10 cm. long, hairy on both surfaces while young, becoming 

 smooth or nearly so above, remaining more or less hairy beneath, es- 

 pecially on the veins, under surface of leaves sufficiently glutinous 

 to adhere to paper if pressure be applied, margins set with short callous 

 teeth, about .5-1 mm. long; fertile catkins cone-shape, 10-20 mm. long 

 and about 7 mm. in diameter, borne at the ends of branches in clusters 

 of 2-5. 



Distribution. Maine to Minnesota, south to Florida and Texas. 

 In Indiana it is quite local. It has been reported in many of the 

 counties of northern Indiana north of the Wabash River. It has been 

 found in several of the southern counties and as far north as Salt Creek 

 in Monroe County. No reports for the central part of the State. It 

 is absent also in all of the eastern counties of the State, and the western 

 part of Ohio. It is found growing in clumps in wet woods, swamps, 

 cold bogs and along streams. It is usually a tall slender shrub; however, 

 a specimen has been seen that measured 7 cm. in diameter and 5 m. 

 in height. 



Remarks. Of no value except for ornamental planting in wet 

 ground. 



FAGACEAE. THE BEECH FAMILY. 



Trees with simple, alternate, petioled leaves; flowers of two kinds; 

 fruit a one-seeded nut. This is the most important family of trees 

 occurring in the State. 



