Ficus. UllTICACE^:. 73 



A large tree, 18 to 30 or, exceptionally, 36 to 39 metres in height, 

 with a trunk 0.G0 to 1.50 metres in diameter; most common and reaching 

 its greatest development in the Mississippi River basin; rich bottoms or 

 dry hillsides ; sometimes reduced to a low shrub ( C. pumila), and varying 

 greatly in the size, shape, and texture of the leaves (C. Mississippiensis 

 Icevigata, integrifolia, crassifolia, etc.) ; the extremes connected by innu- 

 merable intermediate forms, which, thus considered, make one poly- 

 morphous species of wide geographical range. A form with small thick 

 coriaceous leaves with prominent reticulated veins, found from western 

 Texas to southern California, and through the Rocky Mountains to east- 

 ern Oregon is var. reticulata, Sargent. 



Wood heavy, rather soft, not strong, coarse-grained, compact, satiny, 

 susceptible of a good polish ; layers of annual growth clearly marked by 

 several rows of large open ducts, containing many small groups of smaller 

 ducts arranged in intermediate concentric rings ; medullary rays numer- 

 ous, thin; color clear light yellow, the sap-wood lighter; largely used for 

 fencing and occasionally in the manufacture of cheap furniture. 



229. Ficus aurea, Nutt. 



Semi-tropical Florida, — Indian River to the southern keys. 



A large parasitic tree, germinating on the trunks and branches of other 

 trees, and sending down to the ground long aerial roots, which gradually 

 grow together, kill the enclosed tree, and form a trunk sometimes U.90 to 

 1.20 metres in diameter. 



Wood exceedingly light, soft, very weak, coarse-grained, compact, not 

 durable; medullary rays thin, hardly distinguishable ; color light brown, 

 the sap-wood lighter. 



230. Ficus brevifolia, Nutt. 



Semi-tropical Florida, — Bay Biscayne to the southern keys. 



A tree sometimes 15 metres in height, with a trunk rarely exceeding 

 0.30 metre in diameter. 



Wood light, soft, close-grained, compact, containing few large open 

 scattered ducts, and many groups of much smaller ducts arranged in con- 

 centric circles ; medullary rays numerous, thin, conspicuous ; color light 

 brown or yellow, the sap-wood lighter. 



231. Ficus pedunculata, Ait. 

 Wild Fig. India-rubber Tree. 



Semi-tropical Florida, — Bay Biscayne to the southern keys ; in the 

 West Indies. 



A tree sometimes 12 metres in height, with a trunk rarely exceeding 

 0.50 metre in diameter ; often branched from the ground ; rare. 



Wood light, soft, weak, close-grained, compact, containing many large 

 open scattered ducts, with many groups of small ducts arranged in con- 



