NYSSACEAE 259 



bifid. Fruit aggregated in a capitate head, samara-like, sessile, linear, 

 unequal sided, truncated at the apex with a thick, leathery coat, 1 celled, 

 1 seeded. A monotypic genus confined to China. 



Camptotheca acuminata Decaisne. 



Tree 20-25 m. taU with smooth, pale gray bark. Leaves 7-15 cm. 

 long, 4-8 cm. wide. Fruit brown when ripe, about 3 cm. long, many 

 crowded in a head. 



Kiangsi, Szechuan, Yunnan, Hupeh. 



This tree is widely distributed throughout the warmer parts of 

 Central China. It is rapid growing and very beautiful in full bloom. 

 The wood is white and soft, said to be used only for fuel. 



NYSSA 



Trees. Leaves alternate, entire, rarely remotely 1-4 toothed, petio- 

 late, and stipulate. Flowers polygamo-dioecious, minute, greenish. 

 Staminate flowers long pedicelled, in many flowered simple or compound 

 clusters; calyx cup-shaped, 5 toothed; sepals 5, thick, inserted on the 

 disk; stamens 5, exserted, filaments filiform; ovary absent. Pistillate 

 flowers in axillary peduncles, 1-2 or several in a cluster; calyx tube 

 campanulate, 5 toothed ; petals 6, small and thick ; stamens 5-10 ; 

 anthers fertile or sterile; ovary 1 or 2 celled; style elongated or curved. 

 Fruit an oblong or ovoid fleshy drupe with a bony, thick-wall, 1-2 

 celled, usually 1 seeded, stone. 



Seven species; 5 in N. America, 1 in S. Asia, and 1 in China. 



The genus is characterized by glossy foliage which turns brilliantly 

 red in the autumn. The Jupelos are especially effective for planting 

 along the margin of ponds or near streams. The wood is close grained, 

 suitable for interior finish and furniture making. 



Nyssa sinensis Oliver. 

 Chinese Jupelo. 



Bush or small tree. Branchlets and leaves pubescent, later becoming 

 glabrous. Leaves elliptical, acuminate, dark green above, pale shiny 

 green and pubescent along the veins below, 10 to 15 cm. long; petioles 

 pilose, short. Flowers racemose, peduncles long and slender. Staminate 



