36 



WEEDS AND USEFUE PLANTS. 



wliicli is generally to be known by its thicker and more deeply-furrowed 

 bark. The hygrometric properties of the wood — particularly of the white 

 variety — render it rather objectionable in cabinet furniture (causing" it 

 to swell in damp weather) ; but the yellow Poplar is much esteemed for 

 its mellowness, lightness, and durability. The bark of the root, and 

 young tree, is a valuable aromatic bitter. The prevalence of the Tulip- 

 tree, in woodlands, is a pretty sure indication of a good soil. 



Order III. ANONA'CEJE. (Custard-apple Family.) 



Trees or shrubs with naked huds, alternate entire and feather-veined leaves^ without stipules, 

 and hypogynous polyandrous j^owe?-s, with 3 sejmZs and G petals, in two rows, valvate 

 in the bud. Anthers adnate, opening outwards, on very short filaments. Petals thickish. 

 Fruit pulpy or fleshy. Seeds large, with a minute embryo at the base of ruminated 

 albumen. 



There is but one genus in this country. The luscious Custard Apples of the West Indies, 

 and the Chirimoya of Peru are afforded by trees of this order. 



1. ASIM'INA, Adans. North American Pap aw. 



[A name coined from Asiminier, of the French colonists.] 



Petals 6, increasing in size after the flower opens, the outer series larger 

 and spreading. Stamens in a globular cluster, covering the receptacle 

 of the few instils. Fruits 1-3, large, oblong or ovoid, pulpy, several- 

 seeded. Seeds horizontal, flat, enclosed in a fleshy aril. Shrubs or 

 small trees with an unpleasant odor when bruised ; flowers axillary and 

 solitary. 



1. A. tri'loba, Bunal. Leaves thin, obovate, lanceolate, pointed ; outer 

 petals 3-4 times as long as the calyx, roundish ovate. 

 ThreE'LOBEd Asimina. Papaw. 



stem 10-20 feet high, branched. Leaves 6-9 inches long ; petioles scarcely % an inch 

 in length. Flowers appearing rather before the leaves ; petals brownish-purple, veiny, 

 with tinges of yellow within. Fruit 1-Z inches long, consisting of 1-3 pulpy berry-like 

 carpels. 



Western New York and southward. Fl. May. Fr. Sept. 



Ohs. The fruit of this tree is edible in its wild state, and is said to 

 be much im^Droved by cultivation. It is introduced here with the view 

 ot inducing those curious in such matters, to try what careful culture 

 may effect in a fruit which is prized by some in its natural condition. * 



Order lY. BEB.BEPJD A' CEiE. (Barberry Family.) 



Shrubs or herbs, with alternate (sometimes compound or lobed) leaves, and sepals and 

 petals imbricated in the bud, in 2 or more series of 2-4 each. Stamefis hypogynous, as 

 many or twice as many as the petals, and opposite them ; anthers opening by 2 lids hinged 

 at the top (except in Podophyllum). Fistil on\y one ; style short. Fruit mostly berry- 

 like. Seeds albuminous. 



The fruit in this family is usually eatable, while the root, bark and foliage are astrin 

 gent, or possess cathartic or poisonous qualities. 



