ROSE FAMILY 



but after the petals drop its specific character shows 

 itself and it is clear that its bladder-fruit name is de- 

 served. For each small carpel begins to enlarge, in 

 fact develops considerably beyond the needs of the 

 seeds harbored within its protecting walls. Through 

 changes of green and russet the inflated pods finally 

 become purplish, and a second time the bush chal- 

 lenges attention because of the burden of fruit which 

 weighs its slender branches almost to the ground. It 

 is not altogether pleasant to see a plant so overpow- 

 ered by its fruit. The Ninebark is sometimes used for 

 hedsres : it seems to bear the knife well and makes a 

 leafy wall. 



PEARL BUSH. EXOCHORDA 



Exochorda grandiflbra. 



Exochorda . from cxo. external, and chorda, a cord ; sug- 

 gested by the placental cords supposed to be external to 

 carpels. 



Exochorda. which appears in our gardens both as tree 

 and shrub, undoubtedly ranks high among the orna- 

 mental plants that we have received from China. It 

 inclines to long, slender spray, which very quickly 

 Sfrows out of bounds and becomes strao-^lincr, naked 

 stems; but if properly pruned a compact and bushy 

 form may easily be produced and just as easilv re- 

 tained. 



The flowers somewhat resemble cherry blossoms, 

 but where the cherry blossom shows a yellow centre, 

 the Exochorda is curiously green, with a tew white sta- 

 mens set on the throat of the calyx. The plant is more 



132 



