ON TREES AND SHRUBS. 391 



shrub. It is of dwarf, bushy habit, generally about 4ft. high, 

 with trifoliolate pale green leaves, and in July bears a profusion 

 of bright yellow flowers in erect racemes. 



Lespedeza Sieboldi (Desmodium pendulifloruni) produces a 

 wealth of bright, rosy-purple, pea-shaped flowers in racemes during 

 autumn. It is of slender habit, with long arching shoots, and 

 delights in a rich, well-drained soil and a sunny position. 

 Although it usually dies back close to the ground, it throws up 

 shoots from the base in spring. 



Leycesteria Formosa (Himalayan Honeysuckle) is a beautiful 

 shrub, and grows freely and flowers profusely even in poor, 



Fig. 253. — Leycesteria Formosa. 



hungry soils. Its long drooping racemes of white flowers 

 (Fig. 253) suffused with purple, and the purplish-crimson bracts, 

 are very distinct, and are succeeded in autumn by clusters 

 of highly-coloured seeds that are much relished by game. 



Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum Tree) is of medium 

 growth, and well adapted for small pleasure-grounds or for 

 avenues. Its smooth leaves are arranged alternately and much 

 divided, the colour being a tender green, varying with age to a 

 deep glossy green, and in autumn again changing to rich purple 

 and crimson, occasionally shaded with orange ; in this condition the 

 leaves hang on the trees until the first frost. The autumn beauty of 

 this Liquidambar is its chief attraction, and, unlike many forms 

 of tree life, its rich colouring is not withheld even in shaded 

 situations. The leaves are fragrant, especially in spring. 

 Although not particular as to soil, it prefers a moist one. 



Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) is conspicuous by 

 reason of its erect trunk, peculiar grey bark, striped with white, 



