NYSSA 



GUELDER ROSE ORDER 



SAMBUCUS 477 



N. sylvatica (N. multiflora). — Black 

 or Sour Gum; Pepperidge. — A North 

 American tree, 30-50 ft. high, with a 

 habit somewhat resembling that of the 

 Beech. The deep green oval leaves, 2-4 

 in. long, are downy when young but 

 smooth when old, and are then remark- 

 able for their brilliant crimson hues, 

 which look effective. The flowers appear 

 in May, and are succeeded by deep blue 

 fruits. 



Culture So. as above. This species 



flourishes in deep rich loam, and will also 

 •grow slowly in poor gravelly soils. 



N. uniflora. — A native of the swamps 

 of Florida, where it grows 70-90 ft. high. 

 The long-stalked oval tapering leaves, 

 with 2-3 teeth on one side, are 5-6 in. 

 long, and downy beneath. The small 

 solitary flowers appear in May, and are 

 succeeded by large deep blue fruits. 



Culture Sc. as above. This is the 

 tallest of the Tupelo trees, but does not ap- 

 pear to be quite so hardy as the others. 



Division II. GAMOPETALOUS DICOTYLEDONS 

 Series I. Epigyn^ (see p. 125). 



LVIII. CAPRIFOLIACE^— Guelder Rose Order 



An order consisting of 14 genera and about 200 species of shrubs or herbs with 

 opposite, simple, or compound leaves and no stipules. Mowers usually 

 corymbose or cymose, and often sweet-scented. Calyx-limb superior, 3-5- 

 toothed or lobed, usually with 2 or more bracts at the base. Corolla regular 

 or irregular, gamopetalous or polypetalous, often 2-lipped. Stamens 4-10, 

 epipetalous. Fruit a berry, drupe, or dry capsule. 



SAMBUCUS (Elder). — A genus 

 containing 10-12 species of ornamental 

 trees or shrubs, rarely herbs, with pinnate 

 leaves, and large compound cymes of 

 small white, yeUow, or pinkish flowers. 

 Calyx limb 3-5-lobed or toothed. Corolla 

 rotate or somewhat bell- shaped, with 3-5 

 .usually imbricated lobes. Stamens 5. 

 Fruit a berry-like drupe with 3-5 one- 

 seeded stones. 



Culture and Propagation.— Ihe Com- 

 mon Elder (S. nigra), as everyone knows, 

 grows well in any soil with plenty of sun- 

 shine above and moisture beneath. Its 

 more ornamental varieties and other 

 species do equally well under similar 

 conditions, and when judiciously planted 

 lend a charm to the landscape. Herba- 

 ceous kinds like 8. Bbulus may be in- 

 creased by dividing the rootstocks in 

 early autimm or spring. The shrubby 

 kinds increase easily from cuttings in- 

 serted in sandy moist soil in shade. Seeds 

 also germinate freely, not only in the case 

 of the Common Elder, but also the others. 

 They may be sown as soon as ripe out of 

 doors in the milder parts of the country, 

 or in cold frames in more unfavourable 

 localities. 



S. canadensis. — A handsome Canadian 

 Elder 6-12 ft. high, with pinnate leaves 

 composed of 4-5 pairs of leaflets and an 

 odd one, the lowest pair being often cut 

 into two or three lobes. The whitish 

 flowers appear about June and July, and 

 are borne in long-stalked flattish clusters, 

 being afterwards succeeded by purple- 

 black fruits. 



Culture dte. as above. A good plant 

 for placing near the margins of lakes, 

 streams &c. 



S. Ebulus {Dane's Blood ; Dwarf Elder 

 Sc). — A native of Europe, temperate 

 Asia and N. Africa, and also the British 

 Islands, whither it is supposed to have 

 been introduced by the Danes. It has 

 stout ribbed and grooved herbaceous 

 stems 2-4 ft. high, and leaves with 4-6 

 pairs of oblong-lance-shaped, serrate 

 leaflets 4-6 in. long. Flowers in July 

 and August, white tipped with pink, in 

 cymes 3-4 in. across. Berries small, 

 globose, black. This plant, which emits a 

 somewhat obnoxious smell when bruised, 

 is useful for rough shrubberies, banks &c. 

 It may be increased by dividing the roots 

 in early autumn or in spring. 

 Culture dc. as above. 



