Vot. II. ] 



SAXIFRAGE FAMILY. 



185 

 Downy 



2. Hydrangea radiata Walt. 



Hydrangea. (Fig. 1859.) 



Hydrangea radiata Walt. Fl. Car. 251. 1788. 

 Hydrangea nivea Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. i: 268. 1803. 



A shrub 6-8 high, the twigs finely pubescent 

 or glabrate. Leaves slender-petioled, ovate, 

 rounded or cordate at the base, acute or acumi- 

 nate at the apex, 3 / -6 / long, thicker than those 

 of the preceding species, green and nearly gla- 

 brous above, densely tomentose, sometimes sil- 

 very white beneath; marginal flowers, or at least 

 some of them, sterile and conspicuous. 



Missouri to Tennessee and North Carolina, south 

 to Georgia. Our description perhaps includes two 

 species. June-July. 



ii. DECUMARIA L. Sp. PI. Ed. 2, 1663. 1763. 



Woody climbing vines, with opposite petioled leaves, and terminal corymbose perfect 

 flowers. Stipules none. Calyx-tube top-shaped, adnate to the ovary, its limb y-iotoothed. 

 Petals 7-10, narrow. Stamens 20-30, inserted on the disk; filaments subulate. Ovary 5-10- 

 celled, io-i5-ribbed, its apex conic; style thick; stigma capitate, 5-io-lobed; ovules oo . 

 Capsule fragile, ribbed, opening between the ribs. Seeds numerous, the testa membranous, 

 reticulated, produced into a club-shaped appendage. [Latin, decent, ten; the parts being 

 often in io's.] 



A monotypic genus of southeastern North America. 



i. Decumaria barbara L. Decu- 

 maria. (Fig. 1860.) 



Decumaria barbara L,. Sp. PI. Ed. 2, 1663. 

 1763. 



Glabrous, or the shoots pubescent, climb- 

 ing by aerial rootlets to a height of several 

 feet. Petioles J^'-i' long; leaves ovate, 

 acute or obtuse at the apex, rounded or 

 narrowed at the base 2 '-4' long, entire or 

 repand-denticulate, sometimes pubescent 

 on the veins of the lower surface, glabrous 

 and shining above; corymbs terminal, 

 compound, 2 / ~3 / broad; flowers white, fra- 

 grant, 3 // ~4 // broad; calyx-teeth decidu- 

 ous; capsule top-shaped, 2 // -3 // high, 

 tipped with the conic persistent style, 

 opening between the ribs and remaining 

 on the plant after the seeds fall away. 



In swamps, southeastern Virginia to Flor- 

 ida, west to Louisiana. May-June. 



12. PHILADELPHIA L. Sp. PI. 470. 1753. 



Shrubs, with opposite petioled simple deciduous leaves, and no stipules. Flowers large, 

 terminal or axillary, corymbose, racemose or solitary, white or cream-colored. Calyx-tube 

 top-shaped, adnate to the ovary, 4~5-lobed. Petals 4-5, convolute, rounded or obovate. 

 Stamens 20-40, inserted on the disk; filaments linear. Ovary 3~5-celled; styles 3-5, filiform, 

 distinct, or united at the base; ovules oo. Capsule top-shaped, 3-5-celled, at length loculi- 

 cidally dehiscent by 3-5 valves, many-seeded. Seeds oblong, the testa membranous, pro- 

 duced at each end. [Named after King Ptolemy Philadelphus.] 



About 15 species, natives of North America, Mexico, Asia and central Europe. Besides the 

 following, about 5 others occur in the southern and western parts of North America. Called Mock 

 Orange from the orange-like blossoms of the various species. The common name Syringa is un- 

 fortunate, being the generic name of the Lilac. 



