36 



WEEDS AND USEFTJL PLANTS. 



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

 bark. The hygi'ometric properties of the wood — parti cnlarly of the while 

 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 hark 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. 



Oedee m. ANONA'CE^. (Custard-apple Family.) 



Trees or shrubs with naked Inids. alternate entire and feather-veined Zeai'es, without stipules, 

 and hypogynous polyandi-ous flowers, with 3 sepals and 6 petals, in two rows, valvate 

 in the hud. Ant?iers 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' hy trees of this order. 



1. ASIM'INA, Adans. North Ameeican Papaw. 



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



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

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

 of the few pistils. 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. triloba, Dunal. Leaves thin, obovate, lanceolate, pointed ; outer 

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

 Theee-lobed Asimina. Papaw. 



Stem 10-20 feet high, branched. Leaves 6-9 inches long ; petioles scarcely >^ an inch 

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

 with tinges of yellow within. Fruit 1-3 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 improved by cultivation. It is introduced here with the view 

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

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



Oedee IT. BEEBEEID A' CEJE. (Baebeeey Family.) 



Sliruhs or Tierls, with ^iltemate (sometimes camiwund or lobed) leaves, and i-??:'-?? and 

 pefals imbricated in the bud. in 2 or more series of 2-4 each. Stamens hj: - - - r ? 

 manv or twice as many as the petals, and opposite them ; qruMrs opening bv l _ - _ i 

 at the top (except in Podophyllum). PistiL oiily one ; style shoit. Fruit m .^i.y ---y- 

 like. Seeds albuminous. 



rne fruit in this family is usually eatable, while the root, bark and fohagc a/e astrin- 

 gent, or possess cathartic or poisonous quahties. 



