CUPULIFERiE 



imbricated, resembling fir-cone in shape, red-brown Israels or scales, smaller 

 inner scales or bracteoles with 2 ovaries (flowers) in each ; Ovarii 2-celled, 

 styles 2 ; Fruit a small 1-celled, 1-seeded nut, without wings ; fruiting catkin 

 erect, woody, resembling miniature fir-cone, black, h in. long, ripe in October 

 or November ; seed not produced till twenty years old ; seed-vessels often 

 persisting after escape of seed, and then black in colour. 



Leaves broadly ovate or orbicular, cuneate, sharply serrated, shortly petiolate, 

 stipulate, 2-4 ins. long, glutinous in young stage, shining above, underside having 

 tufts of whitish down in angles of veins ; stipules ovate to lanceolate, glandular 

 hairs. Autumn tints deep brown to black. 



A deciduous tree, 30-60 ft. ; Bark rough, black, full of clefts ; Buds stalked, 

 large, obtuse, triangular in section, brown, with tinge of violet ; Lenticels reddish ; 

 Wood soft, light, very lasting under water, white when alive, red when freshly 

 exposed, pinkish when dry ; sometimes called Scottish mahogany ; used for 

 carpentry, poles, packing-cases, turnery. In Scotland dyes obtained from tree, 

 — green from flowers, pale brown from twigs, dark red from bark. 



Native of Britain. Common name from A.S. alor, aler, air, the Alder-tree. 



Pimple-like galls on leaves produced by a Mite {Eriop/ti/es Icevis). 



OREGON ALDER, Ahms oregona. 



Parks. Moist soil. March. 



Flowers monoecious, opening before unfolding of leaves ; 3Iale catkins 2-3 

 ins. long, becoming 4-6 ins. long, perianth lobes ovate ; Stamens 4, scales 

 dark red-brown ; Females ^-| in. long, styles bright red, scales dark red, 

 acute ; Fruit a cone of small 1-seeded nuts, ovate or oblong, ^-1 in. long, 

 peduncles stout, orange, nuts surrounded by membranaceous wing. 



Leaves alternate, ovate to elliptical, acute, narrowed towards base, crenately 



lobed, teeth glandular, tomentose when young, glabrous or pilose above, rusty 



pubescence beneath, 3-5 ins. long, \l~\i ins. broad, sometimes 8-10 ins. long, 



stipules ovate, acute, tomentose. 



A deciduous tree, 20 ft. ; Branches slender, somewhat pendulous ; Twigs 



155 



