V 



THE VINES OF NORTH CAllOLINA. 189 



The leaves are 2 to 4 inclies long, broadly ovate and 

 heart-shaped, sometimes 3 lobed, smooth above, v^^ith 

 a soft gray down underneath. The ripe berries are 

 red, about the size of a small pea, growing in small 

 clusters, containing a hard flat nut which is curved 

 nearly into a ring. 



Moon Seed. (Menispermum Canadense, Linn.) 

 — This is 6 to 12 feet long, and woody only in the 

 lower part. It is the only one of our woody Climb- 

 ers that has the leaf-stalk inserted into the plate of 

 the leaf instead of the lower edge. The berries are 

 black and contain a flat nut, as in the preceding- 

 species, curved into the form of a horse shoe. Rare 

 in the Lower District, not uncommon elsewhere. 



Poison Vine. (^Rhus radicans, Linn.) — Now con- 

 sidered by Botanists as only a variety of Poison Oak, 

 but necessarily separated in the arrangement I have 

 adopted. It is the only trifoliate woody Climber we 

 have. Like Poisoyi Oak and Poison Sumach^ very 

 poisonous to some people. Common throughout the 

 State. 



The next Group of Climbers, comprising Ave 

 genera, have their fruit in dry pods. All of the spe- 

 cies are ornamental. 



Trumpet Flower. (Tecoma radicans, Juss.) — 

 This splendid Climber, ascending the loftiest tree, is 

 found from the coast to the lower part of the moun- 

 tains, preferring damp rich soils. Its dark green 

 compound leaves, and scarlet tubular flowers which 



