266 CHINESE ECONOMIC TEEES 



base, 15-25 cm. in diameter; lobes ovate-triangular, acuminate, serrate, 

 about 1/3 the length of the leaf; sinus acute, dark green above, pale green, 

 slightly pubescent below; petiole long, more or less tomentose. Flowers 

 appear in late summer, are umbellate in large terminal panicles, small, 

 white. Styles 2, connate at the base. Fruit small, black and globose. 



China, Korea, and Japan. Szechuan and Hupeh to Chekiang and- 

 Fukien. 



The wood has a disagreeable odor, is fairly hard, compact and 

 straight grained, of a reddish-brown color. It is used in Japan for 

 furniture, for building purposes, and for railway ties. 



The young leaves are eaten by the Japanese. The foliage resembles 

 somewhat that of the castor oil plant. 



CORNACEAE 



Trees or shrubs, rarely herbs with scaly buds. Leaves opposite, rarely 

 alternate, pinnately veined, simple, entire or toothed, without stipules. 

 Flowers perfect, rarely unisexual, regular, epigynous. Calyx 4 or 5 

 toothed, or wanting; petals 4 or 5, inserted on the calyx and alternate 

 with its teeth. Stamens 4 or 5, alternate with the petals, inserted on 

 the margin of the disk ; anthers introrse. Style usually with a capitate 

 stigma. Ovary superior, 2 celled, rarely 1-10 celled. Ovules solitary in 

 each cell, rarely 2. Fruit a 1-2 seeded drupe, or a berry. 



The family includes 15 genera and about 120 species, mostly in the 

 temperate regions. Nyssa, Davidia and Gamptotheca, are included by some 

 botanists under this family. The evergreen shrub Aucuba, with handsome 

 and often variegated leaves and small purple paniculate flowers, belongs to 

 this family. 



CORNUS 



Trees and shrubs with astringent bark. Leaves deciduous, opposite, 

 rarely alternate or whorled, entire. Flowers small, perfect, white or 

 yellow, in heads or cymes. Calyx minutely 4 toothed ; petals 4; stamens 

 4, alternate with the petals; style simple, capitate; ovary inferior, 

 2 celled. 1 ovule in each cell. Fruit a drupe with thin flesh and hard 

 stone, 2 celled, 2 seeded. 



