PLANT LIFE IN OKLAHOMA. 59 



CUSTAKD APPLE FAMILY. ANONACEAE. 

 PAPAWS. GENUS ASIMINA. 



Common papaw. (Pound only in the eastern part of the State) 



Asimina triloba. 



TAMARISK FAMILY. TAMAMSCHSTEAE. 



The TamarisTcs are sub-evergreen, ehnxbs or small trees, with very 

 small pinkish flowers, in spike-like clusters, or thickly grouped along 

 the slender drooping branches. The leaves are very email and scale-like. 

 There are several species in cultivation, and numerous names have been 

 applied by nursery men. Many of the members of this family are found 

 growing escaped from cultivation about old building places. Some of 

 the varieties are now being used to considerable extent for hedges about 

 lawns and gardens. 



MALLOW FAMILY. MALVACEAE. 



The Hibisoiis or Rose MaUows comprise a large family of mainly 

 herbaceous plants with large holly-hock-like flowers. There is >but one 

 cultivated species in this region which has woody structure and tree-like 

 appearance. This is the Shrubby Althea. or Hibiscus Syriacus commonly 

 called Tree Hibiscus or Rose of Sharon. This was originally introduced 

 from Syria. There are many varieties with single or double flowers of 

 many colors, — white, pink, red, purple, and variegated. A large number 

 of these have been planted for ornament over the State and some have 

 been observed which bad reached a height of 15 to 30 feet. 



LINDEN FAMILY. TILIACEAE. 

 LINDENS OR BASSWOOD. GENUS TILIA. 



BasswGod. (Whitewood. Linden. Lime Tree.) 

 Tilia Americana. 

 The range of the basswood extends through the eastern half of Okla- 

 homa and though it is not abundant, is found scattering here and there 

 in the areas of good soil. It is also in cultivation in the State. Another 

 tree, probably a variety of the above, is found in cultivation. This is 

 Tilia pviescens, small leave basswood. Several introduced species and 

 nursery varieties are much valued for theix dense foliage, odd-shaped 

 leaves, and slender branches. 



RUE FAMILY. RUTACEAE. 

 PRICKLY ASHES. GENUS XANTHOXYLUM. 



Prickly ash. (Toothache tree.) 

 Xanthoxylum Olava-Hermdes. 



WAFER ASHES. GENUS PTELEA. 



■Wafer a»h. (Hop-tree. Shrubby trefoil.) 

 Ptelea trifoliaia,. 

 This shrub, often growing with the true shape of a tree, never attains 

 a height of more than a few feet (6-10). The fruit resembles that of 



