URTICACEAE (NETTLE FAMILY) 



53 



with a fringe. The leaves smooth above or nearly so.. A large and 

 well-known ornamental tree, variable in habit. Moist woods, espe- 

 cially along rivers. 



CELTIS 



Flowers appear with the leaves and are borne' on branches of 

 the same year. They are greenish, axillary, the pistillate ones 

 solitary or in pairs, the lower usually staminate only. Fruit a 

 drupe. 



C. occidentalis, Hack- 

 berry. .A small or 

 sometimes large tree 

 with the general appear- 

 ance of elm. It bears 

 sweet and edible fruits 

 which ripen in autumn 

 and are as large as wild 

 cherries, but the pulp is 

 much thinner. This tree 

 shows much variation as 

 to stature, foliage, form 

 and color of fruit. The 

 fruit is reddish or yel- 

 lowish and' turns dark 

 purple at maturity. The 

 leaves are ovate, taper- 

 pointed, sharply serrate. 



CelUs occidentalis, Hackberry; a, inflorescence and 

 individual flowers; h, leaf. 



Woods and river banks. 



MORUS 



A tree with alternate leaves and milky juice. The pistillate 

 and staminate flowers in separate spikes. Leaves dentate, three- 

 nerved. Achenes ovate, compressed, covered by the succulent 

 berry-like calyx, the whole spike thus becoming a thickened, ob- 

 long, juicy, and edible aggregate fruit. 



M. rubra, Red Mulberry. A large tree, ripening its blackberry- 

 like fruit in July. Leaves heart-ovate, serrate, rough above, downy 

 beneath. Flowers frequently dioecious. Fruit dark purple. Rich 

 woods. 



