404 



MANUAL OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



Fig. 184. Red Oak (Qitercus rubra). \. Flowering branch. 2. 

 Staminate flower, enlarged. 3. Pistillate flower cluster, enlarged. 4. 

 Fruiting branch, enlarged. 5. Acorn. 6. Cupule. 1, 5, 6, one-half 

 natural size. M. M. Cheney. 



The alders (Almis glutinosa) of Europe are used as ornamental trees. 

 Several trees of the genus, on the Pacific coast, are fair sized and produce 

 good timber. The birches are valuable both as ornamental trees and for the 

 excellent quality of their timber. The white birch (Betula alba} of Europe is 

 frequently cultivated and birch tar is obtained from it. Cherry birch (B. 

 lento) and yellow birch (B. lutca) produce most valuable wood which is used 

 for interior finishing. Paper birch (B. alba var. papyrifera) is used for making 

 spools and canoes. The black birch (B. nigra) is common along our streams. 

 The common source of oil of wintergreen is the cherry birch. This oil re- 

 sembles that obtained from Gaulthcria procumbens, 



URTICALES 



Trees, shrubs, or herbs; flowers never borne in catkins: monoecious, dioe- 

 cious, or polygamous; ovary 1 -celled, superior. Urticalcs are divided into the 



