No. 14] Heath ( Ericacece). 113 



A trailing evergreen shrub, two to three feet long, with 

 the younger branchlets erect and from three to eight 

 inches in height. It is useful for tanning the finer kinds of 

 leather. The leaves are astringent, and used medicinally. 

 At one time they were recommended as a remedy in con- 

 sumption. It is the kinnikinnic of the Indians, who smoke 

 it, and believe it to be a safeguard from malarial fever. 



The little vine is found in far northern regions wellnigh 

 the world around — in Sweden, Lapland, Iceland, Siberia. 

 It is nearly related to the trailing Arbutus, with which it 

 was once grouped generically. To the older botanists it 

 was known as Arbutus Uva-ursi. 



It is unusual for the generic Greek name and the Latin 

 specific name, and the common English name, all, as in 

 this case, to mean the same. 



The fondness of birds and other animals for its berries 

 doubtless accounts in part for its wide distribution. To 

 human taste the flavor is not agreeable. 



& 



(4) Genus Epig/ea, L. 



From two Greek words meaning " upon " and " ground," with reference to the 



trailing growth. 



Fig- 57- — Trailing Arbutus. Ground Laurel. Mayflower. 



E. ripens, L. 



Flowers, in compact clusters from scaly bracts in the axils 

 of the leaves, with very pleasant spicy odor. Corolla, 

 oftenest delicately pink-tinged, varying from white to 

 deep rose ; five-lobed, the lobes rounded and spread- 

 ing, the tube hairy within. Calyx, of five-pointed, 

 scale-like, nearly distinct sepals ; about the length of 

 the corolla-tube, and with three bracts at its base. 

 Stamens, ten, with slender filaments. Style, one. 

 Stigma, slightly five-lobed. Seed-case, five-celled, 

 many-seeded, free. April and May. 



