DIOECIA ENNEANDKIA. 
713 
centibus; gemmis gla- pubescent; buds gla- 
bris. brous. 
Sp. pi. 4. p. 1107* Walt. p. 253. Mich. 2. p. 258. Pursh, 1. p. 265. 
Nutt. 2. p. 40. 
Mich. arb. for. 2. p. 195. 
A small tree rarely exceeding 30 — 40 feet in height, or 12—16 inches in 
diameter, with scattered irregular branches. Leaves alternate, on short pe- 
tioles, sometimes ovate, more frequently oval lanceolate, acuminate, paler 
underneath and slightly pubescent along the margin. Flowers solitary, ax- 
illary, on short peduncles. Corolla greenish yellow. Calyx of the fertile 
floret persistent. Ferry red, containing 8 — 12 compressed, hard seeds im- 
mersed in a pulp which when fully ripe is well flavoured, and might by cul- 
tivation be added to the fruits of the table. 
Var. Pubescens. 
Leaves acute, pubescent underneath. Petioles long. Fruit bearing few 
seeds. Pursh. 
The leaves of our common persimmon are generally pubescent along the 
margins, but I have never seen them as much so as represented in the figure 
of Michaux. I have noticed, however, that this tree in Maryland and Vir- 
ginia bears fruit much more abundantly than it does along the sea-coast of 
Carolina and Georgia. 
Grows in light rich soils. 
Flowers May. 
DIOECIA ENNEANDRIA. 
HYDROCHARIS. Gen. Pi,. 1535. Limno- 
bium. Rich. 
Masculi. Spatha 2? 
phylla. Calyx 3-phyl- 
lus. Corolla 3-petala. 
Stamina 8 — 12, basi 
coalita. 
VOL. It. W 
Sterile florets. 
Spathe 2? leaved. Ca- 
lyx 3-leaved. Corolla 
3-petalled. Stamens 8 
— 12, united at base. 
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