RHAMNAC'E«. 45 



Synopsis of the Ceiirrn. 



1. Tltls. Leaves simple, heart-shaped, and variously lobed. 



i. Ainpelop'sis. Leaves compound-digitate, of 6 serrate leaflets. 



1. VITIS, Tourn. Grape. 



1. C.-Sestiva'liS, Miohx. (Nokthekn Pox-Gkape.) Leaves 

 and branches woolly. Berries large, dark purple or amber- 

 coloured. — Moist thickets. 



2. C. eordifo'lia, Michx. (JFrost Gkape.) Leaves smooth 

 or nearly so, bright green on both sides, heart-shaped, 

 sliarply serrate. Berries small, blue or black. Var. Pipa'rla, 

 Michx., has broader cut-lobed leaves. — Banks of streams. 



2. AMPEIOF'SIS, Michx. ViKGINIA Ckeepek. 

 A. (][UillC[uefO'lia, Michx. A common woody vine in low 

 grounds. Leaves digitate, of 5 oblong-lanceolate leaflets. 

 Tendrils with sucker-like disks at the end, by which they 

 cling to walls, trunks of trees, etc. Fruit a small 'black 

 berry. 



Obdee XXVII. RHAMNA'CE^. (BuoKiHOEif Tamily.) 



Shrubs with simple stipulate leaves, and small regular 



perigynous greenish or whitish flowers. Stamens opposite 



the petals, and with them inserted on the margin of a fleshy 



disk which lines the calyx- tube. Fruit a berry-like drupe, 



or a pod. 



Synopsis of tlic Genera. 



1 . Rliani'nns. Petals minute, or none. Drupe heri-y-like. Calyx and 



disk free from the ovary. 



2. <!oano'tlms. Petals white, long-clawed, hooded. Fruit dry, dehis- 



cent. Calyxanddiskadherent to the base of the ovary. 



1. RHASI'NirS, Tourn. Buckthorn. 

 R. alnifo'lia, L'Her. A low erect shrub, not thorny, 

 with oval, acute, serrate leaves, and apetalous flowers. 

 Fruit a 3-seeded berry^: — Swamps. 



a. CEAjrO'THUS, L. New Jersey Tea. 

 1. C. America' nus, L. A shrubby plant with downy 

 branches, and ovate, 3-ribbed, serrate leaves. Flowers in 

 white clusters at the summit of the naked flower-branches. 



