154 THE SHRUBS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



known by the thread-like filaments on the edges of 

 the leaves, and admired for the beanty of its flowers, 

 borne in clusters upon a naked stem 4 to 6 feet high. 



The two next genera would be most generally 

 ranked among Stone-fruit, though the shell of the 

 second is very thin, and covered by a very thin flesh. 



Fringe Tree. (Chionanthus Virginica, Linn.) — 

 Sometimes called Old Mans Beard. We have no 

 shrub of softer and more delicate beauty than this, 

 when draped in its clusters of snow-white, fringe-like 

 flowers. It is found northward to southern Pennsyl- 

 vania. In this State it grows in all the Districts, but 

 most abundantly in the Middle. It is sometimes 15 

 to 20 feet high, but flowers at the height of 2 or 3 

 feet. Its fruit has the appearance and odor of a green 

 plum, but I have never seen it produce fruit in the 

 Lower District. An infusion of the roots is a favor- 

 ite remedy in long standing intermittents and other 

 chronic diseases. 



Oil-nut. Buffalo Tree. (Pyrularia oleifera, 

 Gray.) — A bush 3 to 6 feet high, abundant through 

 our mountain range, and reaching north to the 

 mountains of Pennsylvania. The leaves are 3 to 4 

 inches long, becoming smooth, rather acrid to the 

 taste, and oily. The fruit is an inch or more long, 

 pear-shaped or roundish, with a thin shell and large 

 oily kernel. The root has an unpleasant odor. 



The remaining Shrubs, including those with Nuts, 

 are Dry-fruited and very various. The first Group 

 will include such as have dry seed-covers, containing 



