FOREST TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 209 



parts of the same tree and usually of the same branch, each at the base of a 

 previous year's leaf, the female clusters above the larger, longer male clusters. 



The small, berry-like spherical fruit is ripened in autumn ; several close 

 clusters of fruit may appear on leafless parts of the branch, the leaves of the 

 previous year, present when the flowers open, having fallen. The surface of 

 the berries is thickly coated with round grains of whitish waxy matter, which is 

 an exudation. 



Though of no economic value on account of their small size, these shrubby 

 trees are of some importance in forming with other species a protective cover. 

 The western representative is likely to be especially useful for extension on 

 exposed coast sands and low hills, situations to which all of the species are 

 particularly adapted. 



The sole present importance of the genus is the production of the vegetable 

 wax of commerce, which is obtained from the berries of two eastern species. 

 Three tree species occur within the "United States; two in the south Atlantic 

 States, adjacent islands, and Gulf coast regions, and one in the Pacific coast 

 country. A group of ancient origin, members of which once existed on this 

 continent in the Cretaceous period. 



California Myrtle. 



Hyrica californica Chamisso. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS. 



California myrtle, also called " bayberry " and "wax myrtle," is mainly a 

 bushy tree, from 8 to 20 feet high, sometimes under 5 feet, and from 3 to 6 

 inches in diameter; only very rarely from 25 to 30 feet high and from S to 12 

 inches in diameter. Slender upright branches form a dense, narrow crown with 

 rounded top. exposing a short, smooth, thin-barked trunk, the bark grayish brown 

 externally and deep reddish brown within. The very dark green glossy leaves 

 (figs. 83, 84), light yellowish green beneath and with numerous minute black 

 specks, are thin but tough in texture. The extreme edges of the leaves are 

 slightly curled toward the under surface. A slight aromatic odor is perceptible 

 from the leaves. As a rule, the female flowers appear on the upper part of a 

 branch, below which the larger, longer clusters of male flowers are borne on a 

 separate portion of the branch. Occasionally anomalous flower clusters, with 

 both male and female flowers, occur between the upper and lower regular single- 

 sex flowers, and some trees bear only, or mainly, male flowers. The clusters of 

 berry-like nuts (fig. 84), maturing in September, are ashy white, the wax cover- 

 ing of the berries, however, concealing the dull purple color beneath. The 

 shells of the nuts are very thick and hard. Commonly some of the berries 

 remain on the branches until spring, but most of them fall during winter. 

 Wood, pale rose-red, heavy, hard, and stiff, the whitish sapwood being com- 

 paratively thick. Of no economic value, but deserving protection and extension 

 as a cover in the vicinity of the sea. 



Longevity. — Little is known concerning the longevity of this tree, which may 

 possibly reach an age of 100 years. Trees from 6 to 10 inches in diameter are 

 from 25 to 40 years old. 



RANGE. 



Pacific Coast region from Puget Sound, Washington, to near Santa Monica, Cal., never 

 far from the sea. 



