THE VIBURNUMS 



densiSj if in bloom by the shape of the flower cluster; 

 if in fruit by the brilliant scarlet of the berries ; if 

 without flowers or fruit, by the brownish pith of the 

 small twigs which is a persistent character and will 

 serve to determine the species. 



THE VIBURNUMS 



Our northern Viburnums are a group of ornamental 

 trees and shrubs which are rapidly winning their way 

 into popular appreciation. Excellent in habit, foliage, 

 flower and fruit, and perfectly hardy, they are valu- 

 able for lawn and park decoration, and also as road- 

 side shrubs. The distinguishing characters are their 

 flat clusters of small, white, rarely pink flow- 

 ers and their showy panicles of fruit, which 

 in ripening give most exquisite gradations of 

 color. The individual flower is a five-pointed viburnum 

 star, bearing five exserted stamens ; the points 

 of the star are considerably rounded. The only 

 shrubs with which the Viburnums in bloom might 

 be confounded are the dogwoods ; but the individual 

 flower of a dogwood is a four-pointed star, with the 

 points intact. That slight distinction is a certain 

 means of distinguishing the two. 



Two trees of the group, Viburnum lentago and Vibur- 

 num prunifolium, often appear as shrubs. They are 

 attractive in foliage and in flower, and their fruit is 

 sweet and edible. 



One species of the genus has been developed into 

 an extremely decorative plant and is the well known 

 Snowball of our gardens. 



269 



