12 The Shrubs of North Carolina 



There is a form of this (var: angustifolium), with smaller, 

 narrower, and brighter leaves, which I have met with in Hender- 

 son County. 



3. (V. obovatum, Walt.) — A shrub or small tree, growing on 

 the banks of streams, but not common in this State. The leaves 

 are 1/2 to 1 inch long, rather thick, smooth, broader at the upper 

 end, and faintly toothed. The flower-clusters are without a 

 general stem. The fruit is black. 



4. Sheep Berry. (V. Lentago, Linn.) — Found only in the 

 Mountains, 10 or 15 feet high. The leaves are rather thin, 3 to 

 4 inches long, smooth, with a tapering point, sharply toothed, 

 their stem and middle nerve beneath, together with the flower 

 branches, sprinkled with rusty atoms. The fruit is first red, then 

 bluish-black, and is eatable when fully ripe. 



5. Arrow-wood. (V. dentatum, Linn.) — Grows in low 

 grounds of the Lower and Middle Districts, but is not very com- 

 mon. It is 8 to 12 feet high, with ash-colored bark, and by the 

 flowers and fruit would be at once recognized as belonging to the 

 same genus as Nos. 1 and 2. The leaves are roundish, 2 or 3 

 inches long, coarsely and sharply toothed, thin and smooth, the 

 lateral veins quite straight, and deeply impressed above. The 

 fruit is roundish and deep blue, and slightly rough. The young 

 straight branches of this were used by the Indians for making 

 arrows. 



6. Downy Arrow-wood. (V. pubescens, Pursh.) — Very 

 similar to No. 5, but smaller, 3 or 4 feet high, the underside of 

 the leaves downy, and growing only in the rocky soil of the 

 Mountains. 



7. Maple-leaved Arrow-wood. (V. acerifolium, Linn.) — A 

 shrub 2 to 5 feet high, found in the Mountains and on rocky hills 

 of the Middle District, as low down as Orange, with leaves 3 or 

 4 inches long, shaped like those of a Maple. The berries are 

 whitish, becoming purplish-black. The slender stems, by remov- 

 ing the pith, make good fuse-sticks for blasting, and will serve 

 equally well for blasts of tobacco-smoke. 



8. Hobble-Bush. Tangle-Legs. (V. lantanoides, Michx.) — 

 A small straggling shrub found in cold, damp places in the Moun- 

 tains. The branches spread upon the ground, and, taking root at 

 their ends, form well secured loops for tripping the feet of inex- 

 perienced wayfarers; a habit which has been revenged upon by 

 the unlucky, in the names imposed upon it of American Way- 

 farer's Tree and the Devil's Shoe-strings. The leaves are 3 to 6 

 inches broad, heart-shaped, very veiny, the underside having a 

 rusty down. The berries are first crimson, then black. The 



