Handbook of Treks of the NoirrjiKitN S'L'atks \n\> Cakaha. 213 



This favorite tree in the forests of the south 

 Atlantic and Uulf states attains tile heiglit of 

 ,UU or 70 ft., witli trunk 2-o ft. in diameter 

 eiivered witli a brownish gray barl<;, wliich may 

 be universally smooth or beset with scattered 

 boss-like excrescences. When growing apart 

 friiin otiicr trees its liahit is to form an oblong 

 or rounileil shapely to|i. It grows in the Idw 

 moist soil of swamps and about the liorders of 

 Pine-barren pomls, associated with the Lob- 

 lolly and lied i'.ays. \\ild Olive, l']vergreen 

 Magnolia. Holly. Yaupon. Ked ISIaple, etc. 

 Farther mnthward it is a nnii'li smaller tree, 

 and, at the extreme norlliern linnt of its range, 

 only a shrub. 



Such is its deserved jTopularity for orna- 

 mental planting I hat it.- handsome party-colored 

 leaves are familiar objects ill almost evcr\' 

 American city park, where the climate will 

 permit, and vhen it tills the air in early sum- 

 mer with the delicious fragrance of its jinre 

 wliite flowers it is sure to attract admiration 

 from every visitor. 



The light soft wood, which when absolutelv 



dn' weighs .31. .SS pounds to the cubic foot, is 



occasionally used in the manufacture of 



wrioden-ware. etc.^ 



/.-r/rcs- scatterocl on tile branfhlets. oblon.t: to 

 rival. ;;-(; in. lonq'. obtuse or acute at hoth ends, 

 lustrous dartt gi-een aiiov-e. wbitisli pubescent 

 neath, thick, usually con<-ave, and in the norr 

 deciduons in the autumn. Imt in tlic south per- 

 sisting until spring. I'lojrrrs (.May and .Tunei 

 creamy wliite. very fragrant, (aip-siiaped, about 

 2 in. across; seii'als oiuiisc. spreading; petals 

 short, broad, concave. I'niit irregular oblong, 

 dark red. glabrous, frrun 1',-:^ in^ long; seed 

 alicut Vi in. long, cumpr'>ssc(]. 



