THYMELi^ACE^ 



Leaves in tufts at ends of shoots, oblong or lanceolate, acute, very coriaceous, 

 glossy, shining, dark green above, paler below, 1^-31 ins. long, f-1^ in. wide ; 

 dying leaves brown. 



An evergreen shrub, 2-4 ft. ; Branches few, erect, glabrous, leafless below, 

 r Of pliant, tough. 



Native of Britain. Berries poisonous to man, favourites with small birds. 



or 



Mk 



MEZEREON, Daphne lUezereum. 



Copses and woods in hilly districts, gardens. February — April. 



Flowers purplish-red, odorous, honeyed, appearing before leaves are fully 

 out, in a few-flowered ci/me below leaves on shoot of preceding year, flowers 

 usually in threes, sometimes pairs or fours, bracts small ; Perianth deciduous, 

 tubular, i-^ in. long, 4-cleft, slightly hairy, lobes spreading, as long as tube ; 

 Stamens 8, sub-sessile, at top of tube, in 2 series ; Ovary superior, 1 celled, style 

 short, stigma capitate; Fruit a drupe, bright red, ovoid, h in. long, 1 -seeded, 

 very acrid and poisonous, ripe in September. 



Leaves alternate, oblong-lanceolate or spathulate-lanceolate, exstipulate, 

 shortly petiolate, entire, obtuse or acute, membranous, glabrous, 2-3 ins. long, 

 glaucous or pale green above, bluish beneath. Autumn tint yellow. 



A deciduous shrub, 1-3 ft. ; Branches few, erect, glabrous ; Tivigs slender, 

 flexible ; Bark acid, smooth, yellowish-grey. 



Native of Britain ; somewhat rare. Berries poisonous to man, but favourites 

 with finches and robin. Bark and branches yield yellow dye. Daphne was Greek 

 name of the Bay-tree, Laurus nobilis, and originally of the nymph who was 

 changed into a laurel-tree when fleeing from Apollo. 



PONTIC SPURGE LAUREL, Daphne pontica. 



Gardens. April — May. This and the previous two species are used as 



stocks for grafting. 



Floivers yellowish-green, very fragrant in evening, bractless, glabrous, in 



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