CHAPTER LV: THE TUPELOS AND THE 

 DOGWOODS 



Family Cornace.^ 



The cornel family is a large temperate zone group comprising 

 fifteen genera, a few of which are tropical. Comparatively few 

 species are arborescent. Two genera in the United States have 

 species of tree habit. They both include ornamental trees with 

 showy flowers and fruit, and foliage of exceptional beauty. The 

 wood of all is extremely hard and close textured. 



KEY TO GENERA 



A. Leaves alternate; flowers and fruits inconspicuous. 

 I. Genus NYSSA, Linn. 



THE TUPELOS 



AA. Leaves opposite (except alterni folia); flowers and fruits 

 shovk'y. 



2. Genus CORNUS, Linn. 



THE DOGWOODS 



THE TUPELOS 



Genus NYSSA, Linn. 



Trees of picturesque habit, with twiggy, contorted branches; 

 growing in wet soil, ^oo^ cross grained, tough. Leaves Sihernate, 

 simple, deciduous, leathery. Flowers minute, greenish, in short 

 racemes or heads. Fruit, a fleshy drupe. 



KEY TO SPECIES 



A. Stones of fruit with rounded ridges; leaves broad, blunt 

 at apex; fruit small. (A/, sylvaiica) tupiii.c 



AA. Stones of fruit with sharp, winged ridges; fruit large. 



-;.o7 



