238 ECONOMIC BOTANY OF ALABAMA 



not grow in the former, except that several plants which seem to 

 like iron are scarce there, and this may be one of that category. 



Rhus glabra, L. (White, or Red) Sumac. 



Resembles the preceding in size and general appearance, but 

 the twigs and under side of the leaves are covered with a waxy 

 coating, it blooms a month or two earlier (May and June), and 

 the clusters of fruit are bright red, and erect. It is just as orna- 

 mental, or perhaps a little more so. A decoction of the berries is 

 acid and astringent, and is officinal in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia. 

 The leaves and bark are non-officinal drugs. In DeKalb County 

 I have been told that the bark of the root is used in poultices. 



Grows in moderately dry and rich soils, protected from fire ; 

 oftener along roadsides, etc., than in natural habitats. Widely dis- 

 tributed over the state, but commonest northward. Its known dis- 

 tribution south of the black belt is as follows : 



8. Wilcox and Barbour Counties. 



9. Wilcox County. 

 lOE. Barbour County. 



low. Wilcox, Clarke, Monroe and Butler Counties. 

 11. Clarke and Conecuh Counties. 



Some years ago Dr. E. L. Greene (see bibliography) subdivided Rhus 

 glabra into what he considered 29 distinct species. One of those, R. afro- 

 lircns, was based on a single collection (habitat not stated) from the vicinity 

 of Gadsden. How many other of these alleged species are to be expected 

 in Alabama it is impossible to say ; but their status is at present very doubt- 

 ful, something like the Crataegus forms already mentioned. 



Rhus iyphina, L., the northern "staghorn sumac," is said by Prof. Sar- 

 gent (Silva 3:16. 1892) to extend south to central Alabama; but that is 

 probably an error, for it has never been verified. 



SCHMALTZIA, Desvaux. (Thk Sweet Sumacs). 



Slender shrubs, with the odor of Rhus, but with leaves ternate, 

 and yellowish flowers in small clusters, appearing before the leaves 

 in early spring. The berries are much like those of Rhus. These 

 plants are not poisonous, but look much like some of the poisonous 

 species in the next genus. 



Schmaltzia aromatica (Ait.) Small. (Rhus aroinaiica, Ait.) 



Grows 3 to G feet tall, and has velvety leaves. Sometimes 

 cultivated for ornament ; recommended for rock gardens. The 

 bark of the root is a non-officinal drug. 



