168 THE SHRUBS OF NORTH CAROLINA. • 



often spreading like a vine over other shrubs, and 

 covered with a profusion of flat clusters of small, 

 white, but not showy flowers. Leaves about 2 inches 

 long and broad, divided into 3 segments, and coarsely 

 toothed. The reddish fruit is membranaceous, com- 

 posed of 3 to 5 sacs united at base. The old bark 

 peels off in thin layers. 



Yellow Root. (Zanthorhiza apiifolia, L'Her.) — 

 A small shrubby plant, 1 or 2 feet high, generally 

 spreading on the ground, found on moist rocky hill- 

 sides of the Middle and Upper Districts. The leaves 

 are dark green and divided somewhat like those of 

 Parsley. The flowers are small, dark purple, in 

 loose slender clusters, appearing before the leaves. 

 The roots are intensely bitter, of a yellow color, and 

 were used by the Indians in making a yellow dye. 



Red Root. (Ceanothus Americanus, Linn.) — 

 Common in dry woods from the coast to the moun- 

 tains, 1 to 3 feet high, and the ends of the numerous 

 small branches having loose clusters (1 or 2 inches 

 long) of small white flowers supported on white foot- 

 stalks. The leaves are 1 or 2 inches long, sharply 

 toothed, and have 3 prominent veins. The root is 

 dark red and quite astringent, and is frequently used 

 in infusion, tincture, or powder, where astringency 

 is required. It is said also to furnish a dye of a cin- 

 namon color. The dried leaves served as a substi- 

 tute for Tea during the Revolution, and hence got 

 the name of New Jersey Tea. It is said to be quite 

 as good as some of the Black Teas. 



