1910] Hall: Studies in Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 43 



Maytenus Boaria Mol. 

 MAYTEN. 



A glabrous evergreen tree of graceful habit, 15 to 40 ft. high or more, 

 the crown broad and spreading, the slender branchlets pendant: leaves 

 alternate, lanceolate, much narrowed to each end, finely and evenly 

 serrate, 1 to 1% in. long: flowers small, greenish, in small clusters along 

 the leafy branchlets, the staminate with calyx-teeth petals and stamens 

 5 each: capsule splitting into 2 widely spreading valves: seeds with a 

 scarlet aril. Synonym: M. chilensis DC. Family Celastraceae. Chile, 

 northern Patagonia, etc. Illustrations: PI. 9; Bot. Eeg., xx, pi. 1702; 

 Bailey, fig. 1382. 



The Chilean Mayten may now be seen at a number of places 

 in California, and is becoming more and more a favorite. Its 

 chief claims for consideration are its graceful habit and delicate 

 smilax-like foliage. Because of the rounded top, pendant twigs, 

 and modest color, it harmonizes well with other shrubs and trees, 

 except those of a rigid, pyramidal habit. The twigs have been 

 used for interior decoration with good results, and when woven 

 into the meshes of a large net the effect is very suggestive of a 

 bank of smilax. 



This tree endures pruning well and when the lower branches 

 are removed makes a fair shade tree, where the densest of shade 

 is not desired. It is well adapted to lawn planting and is most 

 beautiful when the branches are allowed to sweep the sward. 

 Being a slow grower it is well adapted to places where tall 

 trees are objectionable, and by occasionally removing the top- 

 most growths, it may be kept as a shrub for 10 or 15 years. A 

 lawn specimen in Berkeley has grown to a height of 15 feet in 

 7 years, while trees about 20 years old are 30 to 35 feet high. 

 At Pasadena one of these plants grew 12 feet in 3 years. 



Although seldom seen as a street tree, there is little doubt 

 that the Mayten will prove itself useful for this purpose on 

 rather wide streets where evergreens are desired. It will need 

 attention, however, to prevent the central shaft from dividing 

 into several branches. All but one of these should be removed 

 as soon as formed. 



The Mayten flourishes equally well in middle and in Southern 

 California, along the coast and in the interior. It is propa- 

 gated from cuttings taken in the fall, or from seed. Volunteer 



