380 FOREST TREES OF THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 



The ability of this tree to thrive in hot desert regions makes it worthy of 

 attention for planting in arid, treeless localities within its climatic range. 



Longevity. — Not fully determined. Believed to be long-lived. A tree 8 inches 

 in diameter showed an age of 77 years. 



BANGE. 



Southern California (from Colorado River south of Mohave Mountains) to south- 

 western Arizona and through adjacent Mexico (Sonora) and Lower California (between 

 Comundee and Calamujuet). 



OCCURRENCE. 



Along desert water courses (especially intermittent streams), depressions, and washes 

 in dry gravelly soil. Grows singly and in open patches, mingled sometimes with mes- 

 quite, palo verde, and desert shrubs. 



Climatic Conditions. — Like those of mesquites. 



Tolerance and Reproduction. — undetermined ; appears decidedly intolerant. 



Family CELASTRACE^. 



Celastraceae comprises a large number of trees and shrubs widely dis- 

 tributed over the world. The North American representatives are small and 

 unimportant. The popularly best-known groups of this family include the orna- 

 mental shrubs and bushy trees known as spindle-trees (Evonymus) , and the 

 woody climber "bittersweet" (Gelastrus) of eastern North America. The 

 characters which relate members of this family are drawn entirely from their 

 inconspicuous flowers, the distinctions in which are not easily observed by lay- 

 men. Simple distinctive characteristics are wanting. In some species the 

 flowers — which are usually small and inconspicuous — are perfect, with both 

 male and female organs in the same flower; in other species, male and female 

 flowers are distinct on different parts of the same tree; and in yet others, male 

 and female flowers are each on separate trees. The fruit, ripened in one sea- 

 son, is berry-like or a dry capsule; the evergreen or deciduous leaves, of one 

 simple blade, may grow in pairs (one opposite another) or singly, alternately 

 on different sides of the twigs. The one genus representing this family in the 

 Pacific region is so unique in its characters as to be easily recognized. 



CANOTIA. 



A genus containing but one species of a limited and little-known southwestern 

 range, including a small part of the Pacific region. Characters of the genus are 

 given under this species. 



Canotia. 



Canotia liolacantha Torrey. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS. 



Canotia holacantha is a tree or shrub anomalous in its entire lack of leaves; 

 the thin green bark of its twigs seemingly performs the functions of leaves. 

 This strange modification appears greatly to help the plant to endure the hot, 

 dry climate of its range. At best, a shrubby tree from 15 to 20 feet high with 

 a very short, stocky trunk from 4 to 6 inches through ; very occasionally, almost 

 a foot in diameter. Greenish bark of the branches somewhat streaked, that of 

 large trunks pale brown and seamed. Twigs very slender, round, tipped with a 

 sharp point, growing singly from the branches, never in pairs (one opposite 



