272 



DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SHRUBS 



Halesia (Mohrode'ndron). The SILVER BELLS or SNOWDROP TREES 

 are lar-r shrubs or small trees with beautiful white bell-like hanging 

 flo\\ers with 4 lubes, in spring before the leaves are fully expanded. They 

 grow well in the shade, but are not fully hardy north of Philadelphia 

 except with some protection. The hardiest species is the first one given 

 below ; there are but three species, all American. The fruit is elongated, 

 ridded, dry. 1- to 3-seeded ; the leaves are simple, alternate, deciduous, 

 feather-veined, notched. 



FIG. 471. Sweet Yellow Jasmine. FIG. 472. Italian Yellow Jasmine. 



FOUR-WINGED SILVER BELL, SNOWDROP TREE, or OPOSSUM WOOD 



(4(ji;) Halesia Carolina (H. tetraptera, Mohrodendron carolinum) . Fruit 

 4-ridged or winged (l|-2 inches long), the ridges not extending down 

 the stalk. Flowers about an inch long. Leaves 2 to 7 inches long, oval, 

 finely notched. This is the largest, most hardy, and most tree-like species, 

 reaching the height of 50 feet or more. 



TWO-WIXGED SILVER BELL f4C>7) Halesia diptera. Fruit 2-winged 

 (l|-2 inches lung), the ridges or wings extending down the stalk. 

 Flowers about an inch long. Leaves somewhat larger and more coarsely 

 notched. A smaller and less hardy tree, seldom over 20 feet, usually 

 a shrub. 



SMALL-FLOWERED SILVER BELL Halesia parviflora. Always shrubby 

 with flowers less than \ inch long and 2-winged fruit like the last but only 

 about an iiic'h long. 



MKKIIVN'S Sn.vi.u BELL llalesia Carolina Meehani is a variety of 



