214 



WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



severally held until they begin to shed their pollen. Capsule depressed- 

 globose, 5-celled ; seeds numerous, minute. Evergreen shrubs ; leaves 

 entire ; flowers in umbel-like corymbs. 



1. K. latifo'lia, L. Leaves mostly alternate, oval-lanceolate, bright 

 green on both sides ; corymbs terminal. 



Broad-leaved Kalmia. Mountain Laurel. Calico Bush. Spoon- 

 wood. 



stem 3-10 feet high, with irregular crooked straggling branches. Leaves sometimes in 

 3's, 2-3 inches long and about an inch wide ; petioles an inch in length. Floivers 



rather large, pale red (sometimes white), in spreading corymbs ; pedicels about an inch 

 long, viscid pubescent, with 3 ftrocte at base. 



Rocky hills : common. May -June. 



Obs. This fine evergreen is common from Maine to the mountains of 

 the Southern States, being conspicuous when in flower, and beautiful on 

 account of its dark green foliage at all times. The wood is very hard, 

 especially that of the root, and is used as a substitute for box by the 

 turners and carvers in the making of small articles. The leaves have the 

 reputation of being poisonous to cattle, but little is positively known of 

 the ettects of the plant upon the animal system. It is said to be easy of 

 cultivation in moist soil, but the experiments which have fallen under 

 our observation have not been very successful. 



2. K. angustifo'lia, L. Leaves opposite and ternate, narrowly oblong, 

 paler or slightly russet beneath ; corymbs lateral. 



Narrow-leaved Laurel. Dwarf Laurel. Sheep Laurel. Lambkill. 



stem about 2 feet high, slender, somewhat branching. Leaves 1-2 inches long, and 

 about half an inch wide ; petioles an inch in length. Flowers small, bright crim- 



son, in lateral corymbs in the axils of the ternate leaves and thus appearing verticillate ; 

 pedicels filiform, % - % of an inch in length, with 3 unequal bracts at base. 



Hih-sides : common. June. 



Obs. The leaves of this shrub are supposed to be poisonous to sheep 

 and lambs, hence two of its popular names. The Azaleas, of which 

 there are several native species, and which include some of our most 

 beautiful exotic shrubs, belong here, but our space docs not allow us to no- 

 tice them. The Azalea nudiflo'ra, or wild Honeysuckle, has often 

 a singular transformation of its flowers, the parts of the flower becoming 

 enlarged and fleshy and generally consolidated into a shapeless mass. 

 These succulent excresences are much sought after by boys who call 

 them " swamp apples " and " swamp cheeses" ; they at times are some- 

 what sweetish, but to any but boys, rather poor fruit. B-hododen'- 

 dron maximum, L>i the Rose Bay or great laurel, balongs also to this 

 section ; it is a noble evergreen shrub, but rather difficult of cultivation, 

 unless sheltered from the powerful heat of our midsummer sun. * 



