12 



ed tree-like. Many of the members of this family are found grow- 

 ing escaped from cultivation about old building places. Some of the 

 varieties are now being used to considerable extent for hedges about 

 lawns and gardens. They continue to bloom through a good part of 

 the growing season, and the forms with drooping branches are very 

 beautiful. 



MALLOW FAMILY. MALVACEAE. 



The Hibiscus or Rose Mallows comprise a large family of mainly 

 herbaceous plants with large holly-hock-like flowers. There is but 

 one cultivated species in this region which has woody structure and 

 tree-like appearance. This is the Shrubby Althea or Hibiscus Syriacus 

 commonly called Tree Hibiscus or Rose of Sharon. This was original- 

 ly introduced from Syria. There are many varieties with single or 

 double flowers of many colors, — white, pink, red, purple, and varie- 

 gated. A large number of these have been planted for ornament over 

 the State and some have been observed which had reached a height 

 of 15 to 20 feet. 



LINDEN FAMILY. TILIACEAE. 



About 20 species of this family are known, but not more than six 

 are among the trees of the eastern part of North America. They are 

 not found in western America. 



THE LINDENS or BASSWOOD. Genus TILIA. 

 BASS WOOD. WHITE WOOD. LINDEN. LIME TREE. 



Tilia Americana. 



Tilia, the ancient classical name for Linden. Basswood has reference to 

 the use of the inner bark for mats and cordage. 



This tree is a native of rich woods, and grows to large size in 

 much of its range. In the lower Ohio Valley, it becomes 130 feet in 

 height, but the ordinary height is about 70 feet. It is a tree of great 

 economic importance. The wood is soft and white; the inner bark 

 very fibrous and tough. Its range extends through the eastern half 

 of Oklahoma, but it is not abundant, but is found scattering here 

 and there in the areas of good soil. It is also in cultivation in the 

 State. Another tree probably a variety of the above is found in cul- 

 tivation. This is Tilia pubesceus, small leaved Basswood. Several 

 introduced species and nursery varieties are much valued for their 

 dense foliage, odd shaped leaves and slender branches. 



