BUCKTHORN FAMILY. 



RHAMNACE^. 



New Jersey Tea. Oeanotlius Americcmus. 



Red-Root. 



Found on dry banks and in thicket growths, blossoming in July. 



This is a widely branching, very leafy bush, woody-fibred and 

 tough, which grows from 2 to 4 feet high, and has a coarse, roughish 

 bark, slightly grooved, and dull bronzy-green in color. 



The oval leaf is sometimes heart-shaped at the base, the veins are 

 hairy beneath and the margin is iri'egularly and slightly toothed with 

 fine points ; the texture is loose ; it is downy to the touch, and dull 

 green. The leaves are set alternately on short reddish stems. 



The tiny flowers have 5 very slender petals, and are a pinkish- 

 creamy- white ; they are set on white thread-like foot-stems, and 

 gathered in close thimble-shaped clusters, upon long stems which form 

 terminal groups. They have a faint sweet odor. 



In some localities this thickly blooming shrub is much infested 

 with insects. The flowers fall quickly, but the pretty little silvery seed- 

 vessels are retained through the second season. 



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