14 . The Shrubs of North Carolina : 



Carolina Buckthorn. (Frangula Caroriniana, Gray.) — A 

 thornless shrub, 4 to 6 feet high, belonging to moderately fertile 

 soils in the Middle and Lower Districts, but rare in the latter. 

 The leaves are 3 or 4 inches long, 1 or 2 wide, dark green, smooth 

 and shining, and ribbed with very straight parallel veins. The 

 berry is blackish, of the size of a small pea. 



1. Sumach. (Rhus copallina, Linn.) — Very common through- 

 out the State, usually 6 to 10 feet high, sometimes a small tree 15 

 feet high, readily distinguished by its common leaf-stem being 

 margined or winged between the leaflets. The crimson hairs on 

 the berries possess a strong acid, (said to be Malic,) an infusion 

 of which, with sugar, makes an agreeable cooling beverage, and, 

 without sugar, is a very useful gargle for weak or sore throats. 



2. Smooth Sumach. (R. glabra, Linn.) — This is 6 to 10 feet 

 high, growing in the Middle and Upper Districts, and is remark- 

 ably smooth in all its parts. A milky juice issues from the 

 wounded bark. The large clusters of red fruit are more compact 

 than in No. 1, having an acid secretion as in that. The branches 

 and leaves are astringent, and are used for tanning. 



3. Staghorn Sumach. (R. typhina, Linn.) — Belongs to the 

 Upper District, 10 to 20 feet high, the branches and flower stalks 

 densely and rather softly hairy, somewhat like a Deer's horn "in 

 the velvet." The leaflets are narrow and tapering. The bark 

 issues a milky juice, and the berries are acid, as in No. 2. The 

 wood is orange colored and aromatic. The bark and branches are 

 used for tanning. The large clusters of purple fruit, and a fine 

 foliage, render this species quite ornamental. 



4. Dwarf Sumach. (R. pumila, Michx.) — This has a general 

 resemblance to No. 3, especially in the dense hairiness of the 

 young branches, but the leaflets in this are much shorter, broader 

 and more coarsely toothed, and the plant is only 1 to 3 feet high, 

 mostly spreading over the ground. It is rather rare, but occurs 

 in the Lower and Middle Districts, especially in Mecklenburg, 

 where it was originally discovered by the elder Michaux. Pursh 

 has represented it as being very poisonous, but it is perfectly 

 harmless, as are all the preceding species. 



5. Poison Sumach. (R. venenata, DC.) — Found in all the 

 Districts in cool swampy situations, where it is somewhat con- 

 spicuous by its smooth green bark and pink-colored leaf -stems. 

 To most persons it is exceedingly poisonous, some even being 

 affected by proximity to it, especially while rain or dew is evap- 

 orating from it. Others, however, can handle it with safety. 

 The juice of this is a good varnish, like that of the Japan Sumach 

 (R. vernicifera) , which is a very similar and was once supposed 

 to be the same species. 



