316 



WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



Crimson Quercus. Scarlet Oak. 



stem 60 - 90 feet tiigti, and 2 - 3 or 4 feet in diameter. Leaves 5-8 inches long, deeply 

 lobed (usually 4 principal lobes on each side), the sinuses rounded and wider at bottom, 

 the base obtuse or sometimes rather cuneate, both surfaces smooth and shining green, 

 with a dense pubescence in the axils of the nerves beneath — finally becoming red and 

 spotted with deeper crimson ; petioles 2-4 inches long. Acoi-n roundish, depressed or 

 slightly umbilicate at apex, — the lower half immersed in a i-ough scaly cup. 



Rich moist woodlands. New England to Georgia. 



Obs. The bark of this tree is much sought after by our Tanners, who (not 

 being acquainted with the Q,, falcata,) erroneously call it " Spanish Oak," 

 and give it the preference over all the other Oaks that are common here, 

 for their business. The crimson leaves of this species, where it abounds, 

 impart a gorgeous and magnificent appearance to our forests, in autumn ; 

 and it is really marvellous that a tree so handsome at all seasons, should 

 be so rarely seen in the lawns and pleasure-grounds of persons of any 

 pretensions to taste. 



13. Q,. m'bra, L. Leaves oblong, smooth, sinuate-lobed, sinuses rather 

 acute ; lobes incised-dentate with the teeth very acute ; cupule shallow, 

 saucer-shaped, flat at base, nearly even on the outer surface ; acorn 

 rather large and turgidly oblong-ovoid. 



Red Quercus. Red Oak. 



Sem 60-90 feet high, and 2-4 feet in diameter. Leaves 5-8 or 9 inches long, often 

 somewhat obovate, rather obtuse at base, sinuate-lobed (usually 3 principal lobes on each 

 side), the sinuses shallower and more acute than in the preceding species ; petioles 1-2 

 jQches long. Acorn oblong-ovoid, plump and rather large, seated in a broad flat-bottomed 



Fig. 217. Th3 Red Oak (Quercus rubra). 218. An acorn. 



