106 Andromeda arborea. 



reddish colour ; yernal shoots green. Furrows deep. Leaves pe- 

 tioled, numerous, crowded, from three to live inches long, and from 

 one to two inches broad ; alternate, oval-acuminate, generally serru- 

 lated with sharp, pointed serrulations, although many of the leaves 

 are found entire on the margin. They are slightly downy when 

 they first appear ; but, after attaining maturity, become glabrous and 

 shining on the upper disk, reticulately veined, and destitute of pu- 

 bescence on the under surface except the costa, which is frequent- 

 ly garnished with white, scattered hairs. They arc very acid and 

 agreeable to the taste when chewed. Petioles an half or three quar- 

 ters of an inch long. Flowers numerous, small, pedicellated, se- 

 cund, borne on numerous, large, terminal, divergent, many-spiked 

 panicles, five inches long. Calix small, five-toothed ; teeth acute. 

 Corolla ovate, opening at the mouth, monopetalous, pubescent. 

 Stamen and pistil included. Anthers linear, unawned. Style 

 pentangular, persistent. Capsules small, ovate, reddish-brown, con- 

 taining numerous, minute, subulate seeds, garnished with membra- 

 naceous points, and longitudinally imbricated in the capsule. Most 

 common in the western and southern section of our states, grow- 

 ing on the margins of streams and swamps, and flowering in June 

 and July. According to Michaux, f " it begins to appear on the Al- 

 leghany mountains in Virginia, and is found to their termination in 

 Georgia." It is not uncommon in the southern states, being found on 

 the steep banks of the rivers that flow from the mountains ; but it be- 

 comes more rare in following them from their source, whether east- 



