IIAMAMIOLIS — WITCH-IIA/.KL. 



14; 



;> 



valviitc or involute in tlio bud, inserted upon the calyx ; bomctinu'.s want- 

 ing. Stunioutt twic(! lis many hh the iietiiln, the iilteniate ones sterile ; soiao- 

 tiines numerous. Ovary 2-eelled, each cell l-ovuled. J'Vuit a 2-celled, 2- 

 hcaked, woody pod, each cell containing a single bony seed. 



The fertile flowers of Liquidambar consist of numerous coherent 2- 

 celled, many-ovulcd ovaries. 



IIAMAMELIS.— Win ii-ITa/.ki,. 



Hamamelis Virginica Ijumv.— U'iiih-ffazti. 



Description. — Calyx 4-parted, with 2 or IJ bractlets nt the base. Co- 

 rolla : petals 4, long and narrow, strap-shaped, sinrally involute in the 

 bud, and considerably contorted when expanded, yellow. Stamens tS, tlie 



Fio. 127. — Ilamamclis Vlrpinica. 



four alternate ones imperfect and scale-like. Ovai'y of 2 pistils united at 

 the base ; styles short. Pod opening loculicidnlly from the top, the outer 

 coat separating from the inner, which encloses the single large, bony seed 

 in each" cell, but soon bursts elastically into two pieces. 



A large shrub, 8 to 12 feet high, with flexuous branches. Leaves al- 

 ternate, on shoi't petioles, obovate or oval, repandly sinuate-crenate, Tin- 

 equal or obli([uely sub-cordate at the base, scabrous witli minute elevated 

 spots beneath. The flowers are in nxillary clusters, appearing from Sep- 

 tember until late in the fall, the fruit maturing the next year. 



Habitat. — Li moist woods from Canada to Florida and westward ; veiy 



common. 



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