116 



TREES OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES 



ORDER XXV. ERICACE-SJ. (HEATH FAMILY.) 



A large order, mainly of shrubs, though a few species 

 are herbs, and fewer still are tall enough to be considered 

 trees. 



GENUS 50. OXYDENDRUM. 



Trees with deciduous, alternate, oblong -lanceolate, 

 pointed, serrate, sour-tasting leaves. Flowers small, in 

 large panicles at the ends of the branches. In summer. 

 Fruit small, dry capsules, with 5 cells and many seeds. 



Oxyd6ndrum arboreum, DC. (SOR- 

 REL-TREE. SOURWOOD.) Leaves in size 

 and shape much like those of Peach trees. 

 Flowers small, urn-shaped. Small-sized 

 tree, 15 to 50 ft. high ; wild in rich woods, 

 Pennsylvania and southward, mainly in 

 O. arbdreum. ^ e moun t a ins. Bare in cultivation, but 



very beautiful, especially in autumn, when its leaves are brilliantly 

 colored, and the panicles of fruit still remain on the trees. It is 

 perfectly hardy both at the Arnold Arboretum, Boston, and the Mis- 

 souri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. 



GENUS 51. 



Evergreen shrubs with alternate, entire, thick, smooth 

 leaves. Flowers large, beautiful, cup-shaped, in showy 

 clusters. Fruit a small, 5-celled, many-seeded capsule. 



Kalmia latifolia, L. (MOUNTAIN- 

 LAUREL. CALICO-BUSH.) The only spe- 

 cies which grows at all tree-like has 

 ovate-lanceolate or elliptical, smooth, 

 petioled leaves, tapering at both ends 

 and green on both sides. Flowers in 

 terminal corymbs, clammy-pubescent, 

 white to pink. June. Pod depressed, 

 glandular. Shrub or small tree, 4 to 25 ft. 

 high, with reddish twigs ; wild in rocky hills and damp soils through 

 out; occasionally planted. Wood very hard and close-grained- 



