128 DESCRIPTIONS OP THE SHRUBS 



EuKOPEAN Redbud (158) — Cerois Siliqudstrum — grows to the height 

 of 40 feet and has large leaves deeply heart-shaped at base (3-5 inches 

 wide), large purplish rose (rarely white) flowers J inch long and pods 

 3 to 4 inches long. [Seeds ; layers ; twig cuttings.] 



Bauhinia. The Bauhiihas or Mountain Eboni plants are tropic 

 trees, shrubs, and vines (200 species) , and can be easily recognized by the 

 peculiar 2-lobed leaves of all the species in cultivation in this country. 

 Between these lobes there may generally be found an awn or bristle. 

 The flowers are very showy and of good size, ranging in color from white 

 to purple. The fruit is a pea-like pod. (The species given do not include 

 climbers.) All have their leaves split less than half their length. They 

 are hardy only far south but are cultivated north in hothouses and planted 

 out in summer. [Seeds.] 



KEY TO THE BAUHINIAS 



* Leaves 4-ribbed . ( A. ) 



A. Shrub 5-6 feet high ; flowers pure white, 2-3 Inches broad, 

 May-Sept. White-flowered Bauhinia (159) — Bauhinia 

 acuminata. 



A. Shrub 6-20 feet high ; flowers of many colors and variegated, 

 3-5 inches broad ; pod a foot long. Purple-floweked Bau- 

 hinia (160) — Bauhinia purpiirea. 



* Leaves 5-ribbed. (B. ) 



B. Flowers white beautifully veined with green, Feb.-May ; shrub 

 to 12 feet. Green-and-white Bauhinia (161) — Bauhinia 

 varieg^ta Candida. 



B. Flowers large (4 inches), rosy-colored distinctly veined with 

 darker ; pod 1-2 feet long ; generally tree-like, 6-20 feet. 

 Variegated-flowered Bauhinia — Bauhinia variegiita. 



* Leaves 7-ribbed ; petals alike, 1-1 J inches long, brick-red ; pod 3-5 



inches long ; somewhat climbing. Red-flowered Bauhinia 

 (162) — Bauhinia Gilpini. 



Cissia. The Sennas include several hundred species of herbs, shrubs, 

 and trees with showy (mainly yellow) flowers ; stalked, usually flat, 

 many-seeded pods. Only a few are in cultivation. The leaves are alter- 

 nate on the stem and compound with an even number of blades. The 

 flowers have 5 spreading nearly equal petals. The plants need a sunny 

 position. • [Divisions ; seeds.] 



