• THE SHLIUBS OF NORTH CAROLINA. 167 



Lam.) — Known also by the names of Pellitory and 

 Prickly Ash. The last name, though more legitimate 

 in this application, is generally appropriated in this 

 State to another plant before described. It is a 

 small branching tree, 12 to 20 feet high, the old bark 

 covered with prickles, and peculiar to the southern 

 sea-coast. The bark, leaves, and fruit are aromatic 

 and intensely pungent, producing a rapid secretion 

 of saliva, and are a popular and useful application 

 for toothache. They would probably be generally 

 serviceable as a counter irritant. 



1. Hardhack. (Spiraea tomentosa, Linn.) — An 

 erect branching pretty shrub, 2 or 3 feet high, com- 

 mon in low wet places of the Lower and Middle 

 Districts, and the lower part of the Upper. The 

 leaves are 1 to li inch long, oblong, coarse-toothed, 

 the under side coated with a rusty- white down. The 

 flowers are rose-colored, small, clustered on the ends 

 of the branches in a compound raceme 3 or 4 inches 

 long. 



2. Queen of the Meadow. (S. salicifolia, Linn.) 

 — This is similar to No. 1, and sometimes called 

 Meadow Sweet, but is taller and the flowers generally 

 white. The leaves are larger, smoother and thinner. 

 It belongs to damp bushy places in the Middle Dis- 

 trict, and in valleys and along streams in the lower 

 part of the Upper. 



3. Nine Bark. (S. opulifolia, Linn.) — This is 

 found upon river banks in the western part of the 

 State, 6 to 10 feet high, with slender curved branches, 



