The Shrubs of North Carolina 13 



flowers on the margin of the broad clusters of this species are 

 very large (by abortion), like those of the well-known Snow-ball 

 of our Gardens, which is a species (V. Opulus) of this genus. 



Prickly Ash. (Aralia spinosa, Linn.) — Found in tolerably 

 rich soil from the coast to Cherokee, but not very abundant in 

 any locality. It is seldom 20 feet high with us, and is remark- 

 able for its straight, club-shaped, prickly stem or trunk, with the 

 compound leaves spreading like those of a Palm from its summit. 

 An infusion of the fresh bark of the root is emetic and cathartic, 

 and is employed, as are also the berries, in spiritous infusion, in 

 rheumatic affections. These are thought by some to be also a 

 valuable remedy for the bite of a rattlesnake. 



Privet. (Ligustrum vulgare, Linn.)— Occasionally natu- 

 ralized about settlements. Berries black. This is suited for low 

 hedges. 



1. Spice Bush. (Benzoin odoriferum, Nees.) — Known also as 

 Spice Wood, Wild Allspice, and Fever Bush. Grows in damp 

 woods throughout the State, and, wherever found, known under 

 one or other of these names. It is a strongly scented shrub, 

 smooth, 3 to 6 feet high, with dark red berries, and leaves 3 or 4 

 inches long. An infusion of the twigs is sometimes used in 

 country fevers, and for sickly cattle in the Spring. 



2. (B. melissaefolium, Nees.) — Belongs to the Lower and Mid- 

 dle Districts in low grounds and on the borders of shallow ponds, 

 2 or 3 feet high, leaves silky on both sides, 1 or 2 inches long, 

 slightly heart-shaped; berries red. I am indebted to Dr. McRee 

 and Prof. Mitchell for my knowledge of this species. 



Pond Bush. (Tetranthera geniculata, Nees.) — Occupies small 

 ponds in the Lower District, giving a gray smoky aspect to these 

 localities. It is rarely met with in the lower part of the Middle 

 District. It is 10 or 15 feet high, with smooth, zigzag branches, 

 and small oval leaves, % to 1 inch long, and red berries. 



This and the genus next preceding are closely related to the 

 Sassafras, and, like it, have small yellowish flowers which appear 

 before the leaves. 



Leather-wood. (Dirca palustris, Linn.) — Widely diffused 

 over the country, but in this State occurring sparingly upon 

 shaded rivulets in the Middle and Upper Districts. It is 3 to 5 

 feet high, and the branches have such a tough and pliable bark 

 that they make excellent ligatures, for which they were used by 

 the Indians, and from which the shrub derives its name. The 

 fruit is a small reddish berry. 



