Mulberries—Tupelo—Osmanthus = 291 
MULBERRIES 
Morus. A genus of a doubtful number of species, mostly small 
tiees and shrubs, of minor ornamental value, but pleasing in their 
shining, dark green, roundish foliage, and valuable because of fru- 
gality and shade-endurance. When planted as a shade tree the edible 
fruit is rather a nuisance, as it litters the ground. 
M. rubra Linn. (238), the native Red Afulberry, distributed north into 
southern Canada, is a medium-sized tree, most readily grown, and a 
good shader. 
M. nigra Linn. (239), the Black Mulberry, from Persia, and M. 
alba Linn. (240), the White Mulberry, the two silkworm feeders, are 
small trees or shrubs and have no special points superior to the fore- 
going, except that they are probably hardy farther north and have a 
finer foliage. 
TUPELO 
Nyssa. For brilliant autumn colors there are few native trees finer 
than the two native species of large trees: 
N. sylvatica Marsh. (241), Pepperidge, Sour Gum, of the north, 
and N. aquatica Linn. (uniflora) (242), Large Tupelo, of more 
southern range. ‘Their small, dark, glossy, ovate leaves, turning fiery 
scarlet in autumn, and lasting for weeks, give rare brilliancy to groups 
of duller hue. In form they are straggling, but by the shelving tie1s of 
their tortuous, spreading branches are often interesting. This form 
seems dependent on soil, wet or dry ones, to both of which it is 
adapted, while in better soils it is apt to develop short branches and a 
columnar outline. No troubles except occasional leaf fungi may be 
anticipated. Unless properly prepared in the nursery, they do not 
transplant readily. 
OSMANTHUS 
A genus of the olive family furnishes three species, dwarf trees, one 
from the United States, the other two from Japan and China, only 
semi-hardy, which are desirable, especially as winter ornaments, for 
their evergreen foliage, similar to holly. 
O. Americanus B. & H. (243), five to six feet, with long (four-inch), 
thick, glossy leaves, and purple, nut-like fruit from the axillary, sessile 
flowers in threes (June). 
