SERVICE TREE. 



[28] 



Family: ROSACEAE. 



Reproductive system: ICOSANDRY, DIGYNY. 



The broad-leaved service tree, Crataegus latifolia, Lam. [Translator "s note: now 

 Sorbus latifolia] is a tall tree that grows wild in the forest of Fontainebleau. It has grayish 

 bark and hard, white wood. The leaves have short petioles; they're wide, rounded-oval, 

 and angular with dentate margins. Their upper surface is green; the lower surface is 

 whitish and cottony. The flowers are white and form corymbs. The corolla has five 

 rounded petals. A large number of stamens insert into the calyx, which is adherent to the 

 ovary. The fruit is a small apple that's yellowish-red and has a sharp, bitter taste. The 

 seeds within it are gristly. 



The common service tree, or whitebeam, Crataegus aria, Linn. [Translator's note: 

 now Sorbus aria] is a large shrub in cultivated areas; On mountains it grows naturally as 

 a not very tall bush tree. The leaves are oval, petiolate, somewhat stiff, dentate on the 

 margins, green above, whitish underneath and cottony as are the petioles and the calyx. 

 The flowers are white, form corymbs, and have branching peduncles. Their petals are 

 rounded, there are numerous stamens, and the ovary is adherent. The fruits when mature 

 are small red berries that contain gristly seeds. 



FLOWERS: in May and June. 



RANGE: France and part of Europe. 



NOMENCLATURE. Crataegus is derived from a Greek word meaning strength 

 because of the hardness of the service tree's wood. Aria is a name used by Theophrastus 

 to denote an unknown tree. 



