@ 20) CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION va) 
Generally a shrub, though sometimes tall enough (4 to 20 ft.) and 
trimmed so as to appear tree-like; twigs smooth, green or reddish- 
green. Extensively cultivated; from Europe. Huonymous Japonica 
(Chinese Box) with evergreen leaves 2 in. long is often cultivated. 
ORDER XIV. _RHAMNACEZ. 
(BUCKTHORN FAMILY.) 
An order mainly of shrubs, but including in the north- 
eastern United States two or three small trees. 
Genus 20, RHAMNUS. 
Shrubs or small trees with deciduous (rarely evergreen), 
usually alternate (rarely opposite), pinnately veined leaves. 
Flowers small, 4-parted, inconspicuous, in clusters in the 
axils of the leaves. Fruit berry-like, with 2 to 4 seed- 
like nuts. 
* Branches terminating in thorns..... Se Aeeipalse els Veena sere ls 
* Plant without thorns. (A.) 
A. Leaves deciduous.............. sine Cidiaidialg GRC Ge MAE Oe 
A. Leaves evergreen . 0.6... eee cece eee eee nee en nets 3. 
1. Rhémnus cathartica, L. (Common 
BuckTHorN.) Leaves ovate, minutely ser- 
rate, alternate or many of them oppo- 
site; branchlets 
terminating in 
thorns. Flowers 
greenish. Fruit ; 
globular, 4 in. in 
diameter, black A 
with a . green its ae 
juice, and 3 or R, cathartica. 
4 seeds; ripe in September. A shrub or 
small tree, 10 to 15 ft. high, from Europe; 
cultivated for hedges, and found wild in 
a few places, where it forms a small tree. 
2. Rhémnuus Caroliniana, Walt. (CaR- 
R, Oaroliniana, OLINA BucKTHORN.) Leaves 3 to 5 in. 
