Handbook of Treks of the X<m;tii ki;\ Statics axd Canada. 



The Wax Slyrtlc is a slender tree occasion- 

 ally attaineing the lieight of 30 or 40 ft. with 

 usiuilh' crO(.»ke(l nv inclincii tiuiik 10-1'ji in. i)i 

 diameter. When isolated from other trees it 

 develops a rather narrow oblong tup of small 

 slender branches. It attains its largest size 

 in the coast region of the southern Atlantic 

 and Gulf states where it is a coiumon tree. 

 It is found in moist woods or cniroaehing upon 

 the sand hills in the vicinity of the sea coast 

 in company with the Yaupon, Wild Olive, Eed 

 Bay, Live Oak, etc.. or, farther inland, in 

 swamps and bottom-lands in company ^^ith tl^e 

 Sweet Bay, Loblolly Bay. Sparkleberry. Red 

 Maple, Sweet-leaf. etc. 



Its tine-grained soft wood, of Mdiich a cubic 

 foot when absolutely dry weighs ']5.]" lbs., is 

 little used, though suitable for use in turnery. 

 Its fruit is sometimes gathered by the country 

 folk and the waxy covering removed by belt- 

 ing in water. This is then gnthcrcd and c;iTt 

 into candles ^\'hich \vhen liglrted liurn witli a 

 distinctly bluish light. i 



Lrnrrs oblong-bTnccnla tc to (,lj|nn<r()i;i to, li.j-." 

 in. lonu'. cuncntr nt base and (li'ciifn'n t on tlic 

 short iK'tiol'-. acute, rr'mntfly siTrad' ciiirtlv ,Thi)\-i' 

 the middle r.r i-ntire, dark firrcn nlnix'i- .and iialiT 

 l)cnnatli, fra2:rant wiUi ycllcw r(-siTi glands. 

 {''Inirtrs < INIai'cli-.Vpril I di<incioiis : sfamlnalc 

 aments V2-% in. long, cylindi'ic ; slnnions frw : 

 pistillate aments oblong, shorter llian tlie staini- 

 nate. Fruit globose drupes, t^ in. or b'ss in 

 diameter, coated with bluish whii^- wa.K and 

 tipped with base of style, ripening in early 

 autumn and long iiorsisl ing.- 



I. ,\. \V.. XI. i;i;,s. 



-. For genus soi' [i. 4--\. 



