The Shrubs of North Carolina 23 



(S. sebifera), cultivated farther south, and the Queen's Delight 

 (S. sylvatica), an herbaceous plant of the Pine barrens, are 

 members of this genus. 



1. (Stuartia Virginica, Cav.) — This and the Loblolly Bay are 

 the only representatives in this country of the admired Camellia 

 family, and the still more important Tea Plant. It is one of our 

 most beautiful shrubs, and yet has nowhere, so far as I know, 

 obtained a popular name. It is found in rich soils in the eastern 

 half of our Lower District, extending north into Lower Virginia, 

 and southward to Florida. It is 6 to 15 feet high, blossoming in 

 April and May. The flowers are white, about the size of the 

 Cherokee Rose, silky on the outer side, covered on the inner with 

 a circle of stamens with bright purple filaments and blue 

 anthers. 



2. (S. pentagyna, L'Her.) — Like the preceding, without a 

 name. It is similar to the preceding, only its flowers are cream- 

 colored and its staminate filaments are white. Found in the 

 Middle and Upper Districts, from Wake to Cherokee. The seecl- 

 vessel in these two is an ovoid woody capsule. 



Toothache Tree. (Zanthoxylum Carolinianum, 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 appli- 

 cation for toothache. They would probably be generally service- 

 able as a counter irritant. 



1. Hardhack. (Spiraea tomentosa, Linn.) — An erect branch- 

 ing pretty shrub, 2 or 3 feet high, common in low wet places of 

 the Lower and Middle Districts, and the lower part of the Upper. 

 The leaves are 1 to 11/2 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 Stveet, but is 

 taller and the flowers generally white. The leaves are larger, 

 smoother and thinner. It belongs to damp bushy places in the 

 Middle District, 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, 



