THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Ill 



situations, though not common in the Middle Dis- 

 trict. It is from 12 to 25 and 30 feet high, some- 

 times flowering at the height of 5 to 6 feet. The 

 leaves are small, the white under-surface contrasting 

 pleasantly with the pale green of the upper. The 

 flowers are 2 to 3 inches broad, pure white, and of 

 powerful but grateful odor. 



3. Umbrella Tree. (M. Umbrella, Lam.) — This 

 is common in the Middle and Western States as well 

 as in the -Southern. In this State it is met with id 

 shaded deep rich soils from the coast to Cherokee, 

 and is mostly called Cucumber Tree, a name more 

 generally and properly given to the next species. It 

 is from 25 to 35 feet high. The leaves are 18 to 20 

 inches long, 6 to 7 broad, and acute at each end. 

 The flowers are 7 to 8 inches broad, white, and not 

 of pleasant odor. Though inferior in beauty to some 

 others, it is an ornamental tree and deserving of cul- 

 tivation. 



4. Cucumber Tree. (M. acuminata, Linn.) — 

 This seems to be universally known by the name 

 here given, and is so designated from the form of its 

 cone or fruit, which, in this species, is narrower than 

 in the others, and when green is not unlike a cucum- 

 ber about 3 inches long. The tree is found from the 

 Northern Lakes to the mountains of Georgia. In 

 this State it grows only on the mountains, particu- 

 larly of Ashe, Yancey and Burke, in moist fertile 

 soil of declivities and on the banks of torrents. It is 

 from 60 to 80 feet high, and 1 to 5 in diameter, com- 



