35 Leguminose—Gleditschia. 
and a weeping one. The foliage is quite glabrous, and the pods 
similar to those of No. 1, but shorter and thicker. 
31. GYMNOCLADUS. 
A genus comprising a single North American species, differing 
from Gleditschia in the thick turgid or terete pod. Name 
from yupvos, unarmed, and «Adéos, a branch, in reference to the 
absence of thorns. 
1. G. Canadénsis. Kentucky Coffee Tree—A deciduous 
tree of large stature. Leaves very large, bipinnate; leaflets 
ovate, membranous. Flowers white, in terminal simple or 
thyrsoid racemes. 5 , 
32. CASSIA. 
A vast genus abounding in tropical countries, and a few 
species reaching the warm temperate parts of North America. 
Trees, shrubs, or herbs with abruptly pinnate leaves and pani- 
culate or racemose usually yellow showy flowers. Sepals im- 
bricate. Petals 5. Stamens 5 to 10, unequal, some of them 
abortive. An old Greek name. 
1. C. Marilandica.—An herbaceous glabrous perennial, 3 
to 4 feet high. Leaflets 10 to 20, lanceolate-oblong, obtuse. 
Flowers in axillary racemes, yellow. A native of North 
America, where it is called Wild Senna. 
There are some of the annual species which might be grown 
in the open air. C. nictitans and (. proctimbens are hardy 
North American annuals. 
33. CERCIS. 
Small deciduous trees, easily distinguished from all other 
hardy trees of this class by their simple reniform or cordate 
leaves. Flowers somewhat papilionaceous, but the upper petal 
interior, usually purple or rose, rarely white, produced in fas- 
cicles along the branches. Pod oblong or broadly linear, flat, 
with a narrow wing along the upper suture. The ancient 
Grecian name. 
1. C. Siliqdastrum (fig. 78). Judas Tree.—A small tree of 
remarkably ungainly irregular growth, but of handsome foliage 
and flowers. Leaves glabrous, entire, reniform, rounded at the 
apex. Flowers rosy-purple, produced in Spring before the 
leaves have attained their full development. There is a white- 
flowered variety, but it appears to be very rare. A native of 
Western Asia. 
