163 



atable. The two forms are not botanically separated but Prof. Stanley 

 Coulter has made some observations on the two forms in the Ind. Geol. 

 Kept. 24:745:1899. He says: "Two forms, not separated botanically 

 are associated in our area. They differ in time of flowering, in size, 

 shape, color and flavor of the fruit, in leaf shape, venation and odor and 

 color of the bark. They are of constant popular recognition and pro- 

 bably separate species, never seeming to intergrade." 



It is desirable for ornamental planning on account of its interesting 

 foliage, beautiful and unique flowers and delicious fruit. It is very 

 difficult to transplant a sucker plant, and in order to get a start of 

 this species it is best to plant the seed or seedlings. It is usually found 

 growing in the shade, but does well in full sunlight. 



Mr. Arthur W. Osborn of Spiceland, who has done much experi- 

 mental work in propagating this species, reports some interesting cases of 

 pawpaw poisoning. He says he knew a lady whose skin would be 

 irritated by the presence of pawpaws. Some individuals after eating 

 them develop a rash with intense itching. In one instance he fed a 

 person, subject to the rash from eating the pawpaw, a peeled pawpaw 

 with a spoon, and the subject never touched the pawpaw, and the 

 results were the same. The American Genetic Association has taken 

 up the subject of improving the fruit of this tree, and there is no doubt 

 but that in the future this species will be of considerable economic im- 

 portance. The tree is free from all insect enemies, and since it can be 

 grown in waste places, there is no reason why it should not receive 

 more attention than it does. 



LAURACEAE. THE LAUREL FAMILY. 

 SASSAFRAS. THE SASSAFRAS. 



Sassafras officinale Nees and Eberrnaier. SASSAFRAS. RED 

 SASSAFRAS. WHITE SASSAFRAS. Plate 69. Small to large trees; bark 

 aromatic, smooth on young trees, reddish-brown and deeply furrowed 

 on old trees, resembling that of black walnut; branchlets yellowish- 

 green, splotched more or less with sooty spots; twigs at first more or 

 less hairy, soon becoming smooth or remaining more or less hairy until 

 autumn, more or less glaucous, especially the smooth forms; buds more 

 or less pubescent, the axillary ones usually more or less hairy, the outer 

 scales of the terminal one usually smooth and glaucous; leaves simple, 

 alternate, ovate, elliptic toobovate, blades 5-16 cm. long, entire or with 

 1-5 lobes, narrowed at the base, the apex and terminal of the lobes acute, 

 both surfaces hairy when they expand, generally becoming smooth 

 above and beneath, or more often remaining more or less pubescent 



