138 



EUTACE^: EUE FAMILY. 



28. — Shrubby Trefoil. Hop-Tree. {Ptelea angiisti folia, Betith.) 



Chiciiiy ii slirub, or sometimes a small tree 15 to 25 feet iii lieiglit, 

 with very slender trunk, usually growing on Lillsides in dry, gravelly 

 soilj tliroiigU southern Colorado (extending southward into Mexicoand 

 Texas). Rarely attaining sufficient size to be of economic value. The 

 wood is heavy and hard. 



Desc) ijjUon. — Leaves compouuci, composed of three leaflets, wliicL are given off at 

 tlie end of a slender (leaf) stem, 1 to 2 inches long and i- to 1 inch wide, lance to 

 oblong-lance-shaped, nsnally tapering to a point at either end; margin entire or 

 with shallow ronnded teeth ; smooth, old leaves shiny. Frnit (much like that of the 

 elm) surrounded by an early orbicular, thin, veiny wing, ^ to of an inch in diame- 

 ter. Bark dark brown and often thickly dotted. 



RHAM^STAOE^ : BUCKTHORN FAMILY. 



29. — Blue Wood. Loa Wood. Purple Haw. {Condalla ohovaia, 



Hooker.) 



A small tree or shrub, at best seldom more than 10 to 30 feetin height 

 and with very slender trunk — 3 to 0 inches in diameter. It is found in 

 southern New jNIexico (southern Arizona and southwestern Texas, where 

 it is said to reach its greatest development), especially along streams. 

 Abundant and in many localities forming dense, impenetrable thickets. 

 The wood is hard and very heavy. 



Descripiio)!. -Leaves i io ^ of an inch long, hy ji, to ^ of an inch wide, chiefly hroad 

 at th(! top (Mid (obavatc), tapering to a long point at the base ; rounded at the upper 

 end, or with a lance-shaped point. Branches with smooth thin hark of a dull white 

 or grayish color; branchlets spine-like or terminating in a small sharp spine. Frnit 

 a glohulai herry (drupe) with scanty flesh and large hard stone; a short point or 

 beak (the ])crsistent stigma) adheres to the end. 



SO. — "Indian Chertiy."* (Rkammis Caroliniana, Walter.) 



A small tree, 15 to 30 feet in height, with a trunk 6 to 10 inches in 

 diameter 5 or sometimes reduced to a slender shrub. It is found in the 

 mountains from Colorado to Montana (eastward it ranges from western 

 Texas to northern Floiida, and northeastward through the valley of 

 the Ohio River to long Island, ^^ew York). It prefers the rich soil of 

 bottom-lands and along streams 5 probably reaching its largest size in 

 Texas and Arkansas. The wood is rather light and hard, but not strong. 



DescrlpUon. — Leaves 3 to 6 inches long, 1 to 2 ^ inches wide; ohlong lance-shaped 

 or ovate-oblong; with ronnded base and rather short point; margin wavy, nearly 

 entire or with very small teeth; leaf-stems hairy. Flowers and frnit borne in the 

 axils of the leaves, the latter black, somewhat pear-shaped, and with three largo 

 seeds ; sweet and edible. 



* See Ehamnus in list of shrubs, page 190. 



