874 REPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



CENTUNCULUS L. 



C. minimus L. False Pimpernel. 



Reported from a single station in the southern part of the 

 State. 

 Flowering specimens collected in April. 

 Clark (Baird and Taylor). 



DODECATHEON L. 



D. Meadia L. Shooting Star. Pride-of-Ohio. 



In all parts of the State, but in much greater abundance in the 

 southern part. Found in moist soils and on wet rocks. Occa- 

 sionally in poor development in dry soil in open places. 



Flowers from April through June. 



Jefferson (Barnes); Clark (Baird and Taylor); Delaware. Jay, 

 Randolph, and Wayne (Phinney); Dearborn (Collins); Franklin 

 (Meyncke); Gibson and Posey (Schneck); Monroe (Blatchley); 

 Noble (Van Gorder); Owen (MacDougal); Tippecanoe (Cunning- 

 ham); Cass and Fayette (Hessler). 



EBENACE^E. Ebony Family. 

 DIOSPYROS L. 

 D. Virginiana L. Persimmon. 'Possum Plum. 



Abundant in the southern counties, where it reaches its great- 

 est development. According to Ridgway, in the southwestern 

 counties it exceptionally reaches a height of 115 feet and a diam- 

 eter of two feet. It occurs but rarely north of the central coun- 

 ties. 



The wood is heavy, strong, compact and susceptible of a high 

 polish. It is used i ! or shoe-lasts, plane-stocks, etc., and is preferred 

 to all other woods for shuttles. In old trees the heart wood 

 is very dark, being almost black. The timber will undoubtedly 

 come into general use for special articles of manufacture and 

 should be preserved. The persimmon is now being largely culti- 

 vated for its fruit, the persimmon orchards in Orange County 

 supplying a constantly increasing market. At least three types, 

 varying sharply in fruit characters, are distinguished popularly, 

 though not recognized botanically. 



Flowers in May and June. Fruit ripe after a few sharp frosts. 



Jefferson and Tippecanoe (Coulter); Orange (Troop); Gibson 

 and Posey (Schneck); Clark (Baird and Taylor); Floyd (Clapp); 

 Monroe and Vigo (Blatchley). 



