FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS 63 



hardy, and succeeds well, but in other districts it is rather 

 tender. The fruit is edible, yellow in colour, and about an 

 inch in diameter. 



Diplopappus, See Cassinia. 



Dirca (Thymeleae). 



«* Dieca palustris. — Leather Wood. North America, 

 1750. A much-branched bush, of quite a tree-like 

 character, but rarely more than 3 feet high. To the 

 Daphnes it is nearly allied, and is close in resemblance ; 

 but there is a curious yellowish hue pervading the whole 

 plant. The flowers are produced on the naked shoots in 

 April, and are rendered conspicuous by reason of the 

 pendent yellow stamens. They are borne in terminal 

 clusters of three or four together. It delights to grow in a 

 cool, moist soil, indeed it is only when so situated that 

 the Leather Wood can be seen in a really thriving 

 condition. 



Discaria (Rhamneae). 



Discaeia longispina. — This is at once a curious and 

 beautiful shrub, of low, creeping growth, and poorly 

 furnished with leaves, which, however, are amply made up 

 for by the deep green of the shoots and stems, and which 

 give to the plant almost the appearance of an evergreen. 

 The flowers, which are bell-shaped and white, are almost 

 lavishly produced, and as they last for a very long time, 

 with only the pure white assuming a pinky tinge when 

 subjected to excessive sunshine, the value of the shrub is 

 still further enhanced. For planting against a mound 

 of rock this scrambling shrub is of value, but the position 



