DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 
485 
color. The flowers, of a pleasing cream color, are small, but in 
large flat clusters, in June. When in bloom the tree is showy; and 
it has a pleasing appearance at other times. The berries are pur¬ 
plish-black, ripe in September, and valuable, like those of our na¬ 
tive sort, for making wine. A wine is also made from the flowers. 
The Mountain Elder, A. racemosa, is a shrub from ten to 
twelve feet in height, “ a native of the middle and south of Eu¬ 
rope, and Siberia, on the mountains, where it forms a large shrub, 
or low tree, growing from ten to twelve feet high” (Loudon). It 
is remarkable for the color of its panicles of fruit, which are a bril¬ 
liant scarlet, and considered by some the most beautiful of wild 
fruits. The leaves are composed of five leaflets, of a pale green 
color, and smooth. Flowers a whitish-green. Why is it not cul¬ 
tivated in our nurseries ? 
The Variegated-leaved Elder. S. variegata .—This is one of 
the most showy of variegated-leaved shrubs. The growth is strong 
and healthy, the leaves are mottled with a clear yellow, and pre¬ 
serve their bright color throughout the season. 
THE EUONYMUS. Euonymus. 
Shrubs, or small trees, popularly known by the names straw¬ 
berry tree, spindle tree, and burning bush. Different species of 
the euonymus are indigenous in America, Europe and Asia. There 
are several varieties of decided beauty. The name burning-bush, 
given to both the common European and American euonymus, well 
describes them as seen at a distance when covered with their pen¬ 
dant crimson or scarlet seed-capsules in October and later; and 
especially when seen in the thickets of a forest. They are all of 
easy culture, hold their leaves longer than many other shrubs, and 
turn to fine colors in autumn. 
The American Euonymus, E. americana , forms a pretty little 
umbrella-shaped tree, from six to ten feet high, with pretty green 
striped bark, and dark glossy leaves, somewhat resembling those of 
the dogwood family. It is a pleasing tree or shrub without’ its 
fruit, though it is for the beauty given it in autumn and winter by 
