442 



ToUon 



The trunk is straight but short, and divided into numerous branches, the tree 

 being round-topped; the bark is 1.5 to 2 cm. thick, rather smooth, but with a few 

 shallow fissures, light gray and somewhat aromatic; the twigs are roimd, pale- 

 hairy at first, but eventually become smooth and red-brown. The leaves, which 

 remain upon the plant for two or three seasons, are alternate, oblong to oblong- 

 lanceolate, 8 to 10 cm. long, sharply stiff-pointed, slightly rounded or wedge-shaped 

 at the base, irregularly sharp-toothed or nearly entire, dark green and shining, 

 vwth midrib deeply impressed above, paler and prominently net- veined beneath; 



the petiole is i to 2 cm. long; the 

 minute stipules fall away early. 

 The flowers, appearing in summer 

 with the new foliage, are in ter- 

 minal compound panicles 10 to 15 

 cm. broad, more or less leafy 

 bracteate and very hairy; the ca- 

 lyx-tube is hairy below, smooth 

 above, the short lobes triangular, 

 spreading and persistent; the 5 

 petals are broadly wedge-shaped, 

 notched or irregularly toothed at 

 the apex, smooth and white; the 

 stamens are inserted with the pet- 

 als in pairs opposite the calyx- 



F1G.389. — Tollon. 



lobes, their filaments are awl-shaped, incurved, the anthers oblong to ovate, open- 

 ing lengthwise; the pistil consists of 2 partly united inferior woolly carpels; the 

 styles are terminal, distinct, enlarged at the apex into broad stigmas; ovules 2 in 

 each cell. The pome is obovoid to oblong, red or rarely yellow, fleshy; the hol- 

 low top is filled by white hairs; it is nearly i cm. long, mealy, astringent, and 

 ripens in December; there is usually one seed in each cell. 



The wood is very hard, close-grained, and reddish brown; its specific gravity 

 is about 0.93. The brilliant, persistent fruit and dark glossy foKage should insure 

 it a place in all ornamental plantations where it wiU thrive; it is hardy in the 

 southern States and in southern Europe. The branches are largely collected in 

 its native region for Christmas and other decorations. 



This genus, which is monotypic, receives its name from the Greek, in allusion 

 to its differences from other genera of the family. 



