The Prickly Ash and the Hop Tree 



our elm keys, grown large and plump and smooth. These are 

 sometimes used instead of hops in the brewing of beer, for there 

 is a tonic, bitter principle contained in all parts of the tree, espec- 

 ially in the bark and fleshy roots. 



The flowers of the hop tree are numerous in terminal clusters, 

 but they are so small and green they are rarely noticed. They 

 appear in May and June. 



Baretta (Helietia parviflora, Benth.) — ^This small tree or 

 shrub grows nowhere but along the lower Rio Grande River in 

 Texas. Its 3-parted leaves, bitter bark and winged seeds suggest 

 its relationship to the other members of the rue family. Its 

 winged seeds, four on a stem, suggest maple keys in miniature. 



Torch Wood {Amyris Elemijera, Linn.) — Slender as is 

 this little south Florida tree, it is prized for fuel, for its wood is 

 hard and close grained, and full of an aromatic oily balsam. 

 Its twigs are often burned to give a perfume in the room. The 

 leaves are much like those of the box elder, opposite and of three 

 leaflets. 



350 



