VITEX 



289 



deeply-notched leaves, and axillary clusters of blue (or white) flowers in 

 stalked clusters. The leaves are 2 to 3 inches long. The flowers have a 

 5-lobed oblique-edged border, and 4 protruding stamens. The fruit sepa- 

 rates into 4 seed-like nutlets. (Called Blue ' Spirea ' by the nursery- 

 men.) [Twig cuttings ; seeds.] 



Callicdrpa. The Callicarpas are opposite-leaved shrubs, with axil- 

 lar}' clusters of small, usually blue berries, which remain on bright 



Fig. 502. — Blue 'Spirea. 



Fig, 503. — American Callicarpa. 



through the late fall. The simple leaves are serrated and deciduous. 

 These interesting i^lants are hardy with a little protection. 



The tallest, to 6 feet, and in fruit the handsomest species, is the 

 American Callicarpa, the so-called French Mulberry (503) (504) — 

 Callicarpa americana. It grows wild in Virginia and south, but is not 

 so hardy North as either of the species from Eastern Asia. Of these the 

 taller growing, 2 to 5 feet, is Japan Callicarpa — Callicarpa jap6nica, — 

 and the smaller. Beauty Fruit or Small Callicarpa (505) — Calli- 

 carpa purpiu'ea. [Twig cuttings (under glass) ; layers ; seeds.] 



Vitex. The Chaste-trees are shrubs or small trees, with compound 

 leaves having 5 to 7 blades all fastened to the end of the leaf-stalk 

 apgar's shrubs — 10 



