Handbook of Teees of the JSToETirERN Si-ates ,\_\d Canaj 



>\. o."5 



The Hereiilc^ Club is a small trep, rarply if 

 ever atlaiiiiiii,' a lavi^cr size than :j() iir .'!.") ft. 

 in height with tiamk (i to II iiiclics in (liaiiietor 

 and it is uftcii iiiiicli sinallcr. It is commonly 

 a vigorous shriih scnilini.' ii]) branchless stems 

 from a single liase or from stolomferons roots. 

 When it attains the stature of a tree it puts 

 out a few siireading brandies and forms a k t^^'K 

 rather llat-to|i|ieil he;Ml. Its beautiful great 

 leaves are the largest of all lea\cs in the re- ^ 

 gions in wliich it grows, though their many 

 small leallefs are conunonly mistaken to be 

 leaves and the leaf-stems branehlets. In keep- 

 ing with the great size of its leaves are the 

 enormous bunches of innumerable small llowers 

 succeeded by snuill Idue beiaies. The Icif- 

 stems, the great twigs, branches and c\cn 

 the smaller truid<s are beset with many sharp 

 stout curved prickers, warning away inlrmbus 

 who might but for thesi' pluek its royal leaves 

 and flower clusters or break its brittle branches. 

 It is .justly popular for ornameutal planting 

 and no shrid)bery is cousideied well e(pii|iped 

 without it. 



Its wood is light. \'ery soft and brittle ami 



a large hollow pith-column r»eeupies the centre 



of the trunk.' 



l,fayc^ nt tlii' laids of (lie la-nni-lies. lii))irmnte. 

 2-4 ft. lon.s with Ion'; sloiil |irli.,lrs arna'd wilh 

 prickles: leaflets hroad-fivnlc. acnlc or acuminata, 

 serrate, dark ,';nM'n alio\-<\ iLih-r and often Willi 

 prickles on miflrihs luaieafli. I'linrn-s (.liilyl 

 about l/s ill. acress, in many small iniilicls. ar- 

 ran.j,^cd in a conu'ound leriiiin;ll [euiitlc s.iiin'l inies 

 ?• or 4 ft. lonu- : slvh' ilislinet. I'niil ripr in 

 August. ^I-.l-'an;;!''!!. siiliuduhose. 1^ in. lonu, Maek 

 Tjitia purple juice. - 



1. \. W., I, ,S. 



-. l'"or genus see pp. 4-19-450. 



