Handbook of Treces of the JS^oetheen States and Canada. 



409 



The Bottom-bush throughout the greater 

 part of its vast range, extending from the 

 Atlantic to the Pacific, could only be called a 

 shrub, rarely becoming a small tree in favor- 

 able situations. In southern Arkansas and 

 eastern Te.\as, however, it sometimes attains 

 the height of 40 or 50 ft., with an irregular 

 top of crooked spreading or upright branches 

 and a clear often leaning trunk 1 ft. in diameter. 



It inhabits the borders of sluggish streams, 

 swamps and bayous, venturing farther out into 

 the water than most of its neighbors. In 

 southern Arkansas, where it attains its largest 

 dimensions, it is found skirting the borders of 

 river-bottom ponds, in company with the 

 Swamp Privet, Planer-tree, Water Locust and 

 various Willows. In these regions it is com- 

 monly called the Button Willow — a name 

 given to it on account of the company it keeps 

 rather than any relationship to the true 

 Willows. 



Its bark is rich in tannin, and is said to pos- 

 sess medicinal properties. 



Leaves ovate to oval, 4-7 in, long, rounded or 

 cuneate at base, acute or acuminate, membrane- 

 aceous, entire, dark green above, paler and with 

 prominent light yellow arcuate veins beneath ; 

 petioles stout, 14 to % in. long and between them 

 are small triangular stipules. FJoicers white, 

 very fragrant and nectiferous, in panicled heads 

 about 1 in. in diameter ; calyx longer than the 

 ovary ; anthers nearly sessile and discharging 

 their pollen before the flower opens. Fruit in 

 heads % in. or less in diameter.^ 



1. For genus see p. 456. 



