260 



WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



ObL Introduced for the purpose of liedgiog-, for whicli it is now 

 used to a less extent than formerly. It has become completely natu- 

 ralized, and is found plentifully in New England, New York and 

 Pennsylvania. The European Olive (Olea Europgea,) so valuable for its 

 oil, belongs to this tribe. It grows and perfects its fruit in the grounds 

 around the old Jesuit Missions in Southern California, and might doubt- 

 less be profitably cultivated in the Southern Atlantic States where there 

 is a native species, Olea Americana, a small tree which has the popular 

 name of Devil-wood." * 



3. OHIONAN'THUS, L. Felxge-tree. 



[Greek, cMon, snow, and anthos, a flower ; from its snow-wliite blossoms.] 



Calyx very small, 4-parted, persistent. Corolla of 4 long linear petals, 

 slightly connected at base. Stamens 2, (sometimes 3 - 4) , very short. 

 Stigma notched. Drupe fleshy, globular ; nut striate, 1-seeded ; seed 

 without albumen. Small trees ; buds remarkably 4-cornered and pyra- 

 midal ; leaves entire ; jlowers in loose pendulous trichotomous racemes. 

 1. C, Virgin'ica, L. Leaves oval or obovate lanceolate, sub-cori- 

 aceous, smoothish ; racemes terminal and axillary. 

 Virginian Chionanthus. Fringe-tree. 



stem 10 - 20 feet high, with spreading branches. Leaves 4-6 inches long, acute at each 

 end ; petioles about half an inch in length. Racemes 3-4 inches long, somewhat pancicu- 

 late,--the terminal pedicels by threes. Petals white, nearly an inch long. Drupes of a 

 livid blackish color when mature. 



reunsylvania and southward. June. 



Obs. The singular beauty of this ornamental little tree is beginning to 

 be appreciated by our people ; and it is consequently making its ap- 

 pearance in the yards and lawns of all persons of taste. The mature 

 fruit has a remarkably disagreeable bitterish taste. 



4. FEAX'INUS, Tournef. Ash. 



[The classical Latin name of the Ash.] 



Flowers polj^gamous or (in our species) dioecious. Calyx small and 4- 

 cleft, toothed, or entire or obsolete. Corolla of 2-4 oblong petals or 

 (in the North American species) wholly wanting. Stamens 2, sometimes 

 3 or 4 ; anthers linear or oblong, large. Style single ; stigma 2-cleft. 

 Fruit a 1 or 2-celled samara (key fruit), flattened, winged at the apex. 

 Trees, with petioled pinnate leaves ; the mid^W fioivers in crowded panicles 

 or racemes from the axils of last year's leaves. 



* Fruit winged from the apex only, barely margined or terete towards the 

 base; calyx minute, persistent ; leaflets stalked. 



1, F. America'na, ^. Leaflets 7-9, petiolulate, ovate or lance-ob- 

 long, acuminate, entire or obsoletely dentate, glaucous beneath ; petioles 

 and young branches terete, smooth ; buds with a rufous velvety pubes- 

 cence ; panicles compound, loose, axillary ; samaras terete and margin- 



