The Shrubs of Wyoming. 27 



Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra L.) 



A much-branched shrub, 3 to 12 feet high, with large and 

 dense clusters of yellowish-green flowers and ample foliage. 

 Its leaves are composed of from 8 to 15 pairs of leaflets, which 

 are lance-shaped and coarsely toothed, green above and white 

 beneath. Its fruit is rather attractive, the small berries being 

 hairy and scarlet in color, sour but agreeable to the taste. 



This shrub grows on rocky uplands. It is known to occur in 

 a few localities in the northeastern part of the state. The bark 

 and leaves are used for tanning leather, while the fruit is of 

 some medicinal value. 



Skunk-bush (Rhus trilobata Nutt.) 



A low straggling shrub, two to five feet high, having small 

 three-lobed leaves and round clusters of yellowish-green flow- 

 ers and somewhat sticky red berries. 



This ill-scented shrub is found throughout the state in the 

 foothills and on sandy slopes in valleys. 



STAFF-TREE FAMILY. 

 (Celastraceae). 



To this family belong the staff-tree, the burning bush, the 

 spindle tree and the climbing bittersweet. None of these shrubs 

 are found in this state but the family is represented by the fol- 

 lowing species : 



Western Mountain Lover (Pachystima Myrsinites Raf.) 



A low evergreen shrub, growing in rocky places on partially 

 wooded slopes in the mountains. Its branches are densely 

 leafy, the leaves being small and firm, oblong and finely and 

 sharply toothed. The purplish flowers are minute and incon- 

 spicuous. 



This little shrub has been found in several localities in the 



