130 



TREES OF THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES 



V. Ag-nus-cdstus. 



Vitex Agnus-castus, L. (CHASTE- 

 TREE.) Leaves long-petioled, pal- 

 mate, with 5 to 7 lanceolate, acute, 

 nearly entire leaflets, whitened be- 

 neath; with an aromatic though un- 

 pleasant odor. Branches obtusely 

 4-sided, hairy; flowers pale lilac, 

 in interrupted panicles, agreeably 

 sweet-scented in late summer. Shrub 

 or small tree, 5 to 10 ft. high, culti- 

 vated from southern Europe ; hardy 

 at Washington and south. If culti- 

 vated further noi-th, it needs protec- 

 tion, at least when young. 



ORDER XXXIII. LAURACE^E. (LAUREL FAMILY.) 

 An order of aromatic trees and shrubs, chiefly tropical. 



GENUS 68. PERSEA. 



Aromatic, evergreen trees with alternate, entire, feather- 

 veined leaves. Flowers small, in small close panicles. Fruit 

 small (Yi in.) 1-seeded drupes. 



P6rsea Carolin6nsis, Nees. (RED 

 BAY.) Leaves 2 to 5 in. long, oblong, 

 entire, covered with a fine down when 

 young, soon smooth above. Flowers 

 silky, in small rounded clusters on short 

 stems. May. Fruit an ovate, pointed, 

 1-seeded, deep-blue drupe, j in. long, 

 on a red stalk ; ripe in autumn. Usually 

 a small tree, 15 to 70 ft. high, wild in 

 swamps, Delaware, Virginia, and south. 

 Wood reddish, beautiful, hard, strong, 

 durable. 



GENUS 69. 



Aromatic trees or shrubs with alternate, simple, de- 

 ciduous, often lobed leaves. Juice of bark and leaves 



p. Carolln^nsis. 



