M0N0EC1A POLYANDRIA. 
615 
2. PcMILA. 
C. foliis oblongis, 
acutis, mucronato-ser- 
ratis, subtus albo to- 
mentosis. 
Leaves oblong, a- 
cute, mucronately ser- 
rate, tomentose and 
hoary underneath. 
Sp. pi. 4. p. 461. Mich. 2. p. 193. Pursh. 2. p. 624. Nutt. 217. 
Fagus Pumila, var. Serotina, Walt. p. 233. 
Icon. Mich. arb. for. 2. p. 166. 
A small tree, sometimes growing 30 — 40 feet in height, and 12 — 15 inch- 
es in diameter, but more commonly assuming the form of a shrub from 12 — ■ 
15 feet in height. Leaves much smaller than those of the preceding species, 
oval and obovate, mucronately serrate, tomentose underneath, and as in all 
of this genus, very regularly ribbed. Fertile florets generally 1 in each in- 
volucrum; if more, the rest commonly prove abortive. Nut small, ovate, 
acute, enclosed in the spiny involucrum. 
The wood of the Chinquapin, whenever it can be obtained large enough 
for posts, is much valued, as it is supposed to be more durable when exposed 
to the weather than any of our trees, excepting the Red Cedar. 
Grows in light fertile soils; very abundant near the sea-coast; I believe 
rare in the upper country. 
Flowers in May. 
_ 3. Nana. Muhl. 
C. humilis; foliis o- 
vali-lanceolatis, sub- 
obtusis, mucronato ser- 
ratis, supra nitidis sub- 
tus sub-tomentosis. 
A small shrub; leaves 
oval-lanceolate, rather 
obtuse, mucronately 
serrate, shining on the 
upper surface, slightly 
tomentose underneath. 
C. Alnifolia, Nutt. 2. p. 21 7. 
Fagus Pumila, var. Praecox, Walt. p. 233. 
This small shrub rarely if ever exceeds 2 feet in height; it grows in small 
patches with creeping roots; its leaves are larger than those of the preced- 
ing species, more glossy on the upper surface, less tomentose underneath, 
and much more irregularly ribbed, and consequently serrate; involucrum of 
the fertile florets 1 — 3, on the lower part sterile. Ament , generally matur- 
ing, as in the preceding species. Only 1 nut. 
The low-bush Chinquapin grows in sandy pine barrens. The nut is 
generally much larger, but less abundant than those of the preceding species. 
Flowers May. 
