THE VINES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 187 



long. The leaves are ovate, and covered, especially 

 on the underside, with a white bloom that rubs off 

 under the linger. The berries are black. The com- 

 mon fruit-stalk is 2 or 3 times longer than the leaf- 

 stalk. The root of this is sometimes used in the 

 composition of diet drinks. It is not the Sarsaparilla 

 of the druggists, but is said to be often mixed 

 with it. 



5. (S. Walteri, Pursh.) — Stem dark green, angled, 

 10 to 15 feet long, having prickles only to^vards the 

 bottom, running over bushes and up small trees in 

 branch sw^amps of the Lower District. Leaves de- 

 ciduous, ovate, heart-shaped, smooth, dark shining 

 green above, paler beneath, terminating in a small, 

 almost prickly point, 3 to 4 inches long, 2 to 3 wide, 

 and having 3 distinct and 2 obscure nerves. The 

 berries are scarlet and very conspicuous in Winter. 

 This has a creeping root. 



6. (S. lanceolata, Linn.) — This and No. 5 are the 

 only species with red berries. But this has ever- 

 green leaves, narrower than in the preceding and 

 acute at base. The branches, too, are not angled, 

 and the root is tuberous. I have not myself met with 

 it, and give it on the authority of otliers. 



7. (S. laurifolia, Linn.) — This is a showy species, 

 and like Nos. 6 and 8, has evergreen leaves. It runs 

 to a great length over bushes and up lofty trees, the 

 lower part only being prickly. The leaves are thick 

 and shining, lance-shaped or oblong. The general 

 fruit-stalk is equal to the leaf-stalk, J to i inch long. 



