BEB OR REDDISH PURPLE 103 



bright red ariled seed. The fruits grow on long, 

 drooping stems and hang late on the branches. 

 The fruit is said to be poisonous. October. 



Leaves. — The thin leaves are ovate or ellip- 

 tical, pointed at the apex and pointed or blunt 

 at base. They are finely toothed. 



Floioers. — The dark purple flowers grow in 

 few-flowered clusters on drooping stems. 



In New England this plant appears only as a 

 cultivated shrub. In New York, west to Wis- 

 consin and Nebraska, and southward, it is found 

 along the wood borders. In Arkansas and 

 Indian Territory it reaches tree size. 



WAXWORK. SHRUBBY OR CLIMBING 

 BITTERSWEET 

 Celastrus scandens Staff-tree Family 



Fruit. — The yellow or orange berrylike 

 capsule opens and bends backward its two to 

 three valves, disclosing the scarlet arils which 

 surround the seeds. There are three cells, with 

 one or two brownish oblong seeds in each. The 

 fruits grow in a loose, spikelike cluster. Sep- 

 tember. 



