78 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



1. H. typhi'na, L. Young brandies and petioles densely villous ; 

 leaflets in many pairs, acutely serrate, glaucous and somewhat pilose 

 beneath ; drupes densely pubescent. 



TYPHA-LIKE RHUS. Staghorn Sumach. 



Lactescent. Stem 10 - 15 or 20 feet high, and sometimes 4-6 inches in diameter, branched. 

 Leaves composed of 8-15 or 20 pairs of lance-oblong leaflets (2-4 inches in length) ; com- 

 mon petioles 1-2 feet long. Flowers yellowish -green, in thyrsoid panicles, the fertile 

 panicles smaller and more compact. Ovaries clothed with a long greyish velvety pu- 

 bescence which on the fruit becomes a bright purple, and sharply acid. 



Woodlands and banks of streams : Canada to Louisiana. Fl. June. Fr. September - 

 October. 



Obs. This is the largest and handsomest species of the genus as seen 

 in the Middle States. The fine purple clusters of fruit, on the fertile 

 plant, render it quite ornamental ; and, if introduced into the yards and 

 public squares of our cities, would present an almost literal exemplifi- 

 cation of the much-admired R (h) us in urbe ! Its roots, however, are 

 rather troublesome in sending up suckers. 



ff Young branches downy-pubescent. 



. R. copalli'na, L. Common petiole winged ; leaflets oblong or ovate- 

 lanceolate, nearly entire. 

 COPAL RHUS. Dwarf Sumach. 



Juice resinous. Stem 3-8 feet high, branched. Leaflets 1-3 inches long, usually 4-10 

 pairs with a terminal one, subcoriaceous, shining above. Flowers yellowish-green in ter- 

 minal thyrsoid panicles. Fruit densely pubescent, finally dark purple and acid. 



Dry hills, frequent. Fl July. Fr. October. 



Obs. A very neat species, with very variable leaflets, which are some- 

 times coarsely and unequally serrate. 



Iff Young branches smooth. 



3. R, gla'bra, L. Branches and petioles glabrous ; leaflets in many 

 pairs, 'serrate, smooth on both sides, glaucous beneath. 

 GLABROUS RHUS. Common or Smooth Sumach. 



Juice copiously milky. Stem 3-8 or 10 feet high, irregularly branching; young 



FIG 56. Smooth Sumach (Rhus glabra) , a staininate flower. 57. A pistillate flower. 58. 

 The same divided, all much enlarged. 



