SYMPLOCOS 



STOBAX ORDEB 



SYMPLOCOS 633 



Fruit globose, oblong, or conical, often 

 pulpy. 



D. coronaria. — A small Japanese tree, 

 scarcely yet known in cultivation. It has 

 large leathery leaves, and roundish orange- 

 red fruits about an inch in diameter with 

 persistent spreading or reflexed calyx 

 lobes. 



Culture dx. as for D. Kaki. 



D. Kaki {Bate Plum). — An orna- 

 mental Chinese tree 12-20 ft. high, with 

 leathery, entire, ovate-elliptic, pointed 

 leaves, downy on both sides. Flowers 

 ■whitish-green, inconspicuous, succeeded 

 by roundish yellow fruits, about the size 

 of a small Orange, with a fleshy, edible, 

 and rather agreeable pulp. The variety 

 costata has ribbed fruits. There are other 

 forms known as aurcmtia, Berti, elliptica, 

 and Sahuti gallica. Closely related also 

 is a Japanese shrub, D. Wiseneri, which 

 has elongated ovate leaves rounded at the 

 apex. The segments of the calyx have a 

 short central lobe, and the slightly ribbed 

 fruit is egg-shaped. 



CulUire amd Propagation. — This tree 

 is practically hardy in southern parts of 

 England and Ireland. In northern parts 

 it should have the protection of a south 

 wall, although it will stand a little frost. 



It may be increased by seeds sown in 

 gentle heat, and by cuttings of the ripened 

 shoots inserted in sandy soU in brisk bottom 

 heat. It likes good rich loam, and may be 

 grown in large cool conservatories in un- 

 favourable parts of the kingdom. 



D. Lotus (European Lotus or Common 

 Date Plum). — A native of S. Europe, Asia 

 Minor &c., 20-30 ft. high. Leaves oblong- 

 pointed, of a beautiful dark glossy green 

 colour, becoming purplish beneath, and 

 dropping off with the first sharp attack 

 of frost. Flowers in July, reddish-white, 

 small. Fruit about the size of a Cherry, 

 yellow, with a sweet astringent flavour. 



Culture dc. as for D. KaJci. 



D. Mazeli. — A Japanese tree with 

 elliptic-ovate or somewhat heart-shaped, 

 deciduous leaves, and large orange-red 

 fruits, ripe in November. 



Culture Sc. as for D. Kaki. 



D. virginiana [Persimmon ; Virginian 

 Date Phmi). — An ornamental tree 20-30 

 ft. high, native of N. America. Leaves 

 ovate-oblong, pointed, smooth, shining 

 above, net-veined, with short curved 

 downy stalks.. Flowers in July, small, 

 pale yellow. Fruits about the size and 

 shape of an ordinary Plum, golden-yellow. 



Culture Sc. as for D. Kaki. 



LXX. STYRACEiE— Storax Order 



A natural order of trees or shrubs with alternate, entire or serrate, membranous 

 or leathery, penniveined leaves without stipules. Flowers regular, herma- 

 phrodite or rarely polygamous-dioecious, often in simple terminal or axillary 

 racemes. Calyx gamosepalous, free or adnate to the ovary, 5-lobed. Corolla 

 with 5, rarely 4, petals, united at the base, rarely all free, usually white, rarely 

 red. Stamens as many or twice as many as the corolla lobes, or many more. 

 Ovary inferior, or half superior. Fruit often a drupe or berry, enclosed by 

 the calyx-tube or inferior, 1-seeded by abortion. 



ovoid or roundish indehisoent fleshy berry 

 or drupe. 



Culture and Propagation. — These 

 plants grow well in good garden soil which 

 is well drained, fairly sandy and composed 

 of loam, peat, or leaf soil. They cannot 

 be regarded as hardy except perhaps in 

 the very mildest parts of the south and 

 west. In other locaHties they should 

 have the protection of a south wall, and 

 be more or less protected during severe 

 winters according to locality. They may 

 be increased by means of cuttings of the 



SYMPLOCOS.— A rather large genus 

 of smooth downy or hairy trees or shrubs 

 with alternate, leathery, or membranous, 

 toothed or entire leaves. The flowers are 

 borne in loose or dense spikes or racemes 

 m the leaf-axils, but are sometimes re- 

 duced to few-flowered fascicles or to single 

 blossoms. Calyx bell-shaped, 5-lobed. 

 Corolla lobes or segments 5 in one series, 

 or 6-10 in two series, free, or more or 

 less united. Stamens often numerous and 

 in many series. Ovary inferior or half- 

 superior, 2-5-celled. Fruit an oblong 



