Part 14

Leaves of upper branches similar in shape to those of Q. rubra but bright green above; those on lower limbs and young trees often with lobes rounded; inner bark yellow; acorn cup top-shaped =Q. velutina, p. 107.=

Leaves with sinuses extending at least ⅔ of the way to mid-rib; acorn cup large and top-shaped =Q. coccinea, p. 105.=

Leaves similar to those of Q. coccinea but with acorn cup small and saucer-shaped; a tree of low grounds with lower branches drooping =Q. palustris, p. 103.=

a. Apex of leaves or their lobes without bristle tips usually rounded; acorns maturing at end of first season.

b. Leaves not deeply lobed.

Leaves coarsely sinuate-crenate; acorns on stems 1-3 inches long; bark of branches with papery scales turning back =Q. bicolor, p. 95.=

Leaves coarsely crenate-toothed; acorns 1-1½ inches long, glossy, cup deep and thin; bark of trunk deeply furrowed, dark gray or black =Q. Prinus, p. 99.=

Leaves equally and sharply coarse-toothed; acorns less than an inch long; bark of tree not deeply furrowed, light gray, resembling that of White Oak =Q. Muhlenbergii, p. 97.=

b. Leaves deeply lobed.

Leaves 6-12 inches long, cut near the middle almost to mid-rib by two opposite rounded sinuses, 5-7 lobed, the terminal lobe large; acorn ¾-1½ inches long; cup deep, fringed around the outer rim =Q. macrocarpa, p. 93.=

Leaves thick, leathery, usually 5-lobed, bright yellow-green above; acorns small, inch long =Q. stellata, p. 91.=

Leaves 3-9 lobed, medium thin; acorn ¾-1¼ inches long =Q. alba, p. 89.=

URTICACEAE—THE NETTLE FAMILY

The trees and shrubs alone belonging to the Nettle family number 1000 or more, most of which are tropical. The herbaceous representatives of this family in West Virginia are mostly unimportant weeds, but the 3 genera and 4 species of trees have considerable commercial value and are attractive ornamentally.

=Ulmus=, (pp. 117, 119).—There are about 15 known species of Elms of which 6 are native in North America and 3 in West Virginia. The English Elm (Ulmus campestris, L.) is planted for ornamental purposes. The Cork Elm (Ulmus racemosa, Thomas) is reported from Summers, Monroe, and Randolph counties.

=Celtis=, (page 121).—There are about 60 species of Hackberries, 9 being natives of North America and 2 natives of West Virginia. Besides the species herein described Celtis pumila, Pursh, a shrubby variety, grows at Harpers Ferry and other stations in the eastern part of the State.

=Morus=, (page 123).—About 10 species of Mulberries are known, of which 3 are native to North America and 1 to West Virginia. The White Mulberry (Morus alba, L.) a native of Asia, introduced to furnish food for silk worms, has become established in many sections.

The Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera, (Raf.) Sch.), a member of this family found native in the southwestern states, has been introduced into many sections where it is planted for hedges.

Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera, Vent.), a Japanese species, is reported from Jefferson, Berkeley, Kanawha, and other counties. The Common Fig Tree (Ficus Carica, L.) is occasionally found in the eastern part of the State where it has been planted.

MAGNOLIACEAE—THE MAGNOLIA FAMILY

The Magnolia family, comprising about 10 genera and 85 species of trees and shrubs, is represented in North America by 4 genera, two of which contain only shrubs. The other two include the valuable Magnolias and Tulip Tree which not only produce large quantities of choice lumber but are among the most desirable of our ornamental trees.

=Magnolia=, (pp. 125, 127, 129).—Most of the 25 species of Magnolias are tropical only one venturing as far north as southern Canada. Three species are native in West Virginia. Magnolia virginiana, a fragrant-flowered species growing farther east and south, is sometimes planted in West Virginia but is not hardy. Several shrubby and arborescent Chinese and Japanese species are also grown for ornamental use.

=Liriodendron=, (page 131).—The Chinese Liriodendron chinensis and our common Tulip Tree are the only known species belonging to this genus.

ANONACEAE—THE CUSTARD APPLE FAMILY

This family is essentially tropical, only a few of the 600 species being found in temperate regions. It has 2 genera, Asimina (page 133) and Anona, the former having 5 species of shrubs in the south Atlantic and Gulf states, and one tree growing in the eastern half of the United States. Anona is a tropical genus.

The trees of this family are small and the wood has no commercial value. The fruit of our Common Pawpaw is sweet and edible, but to many persons distasteful. The tree is highly ornamental and interesting when growing singly or in groups.

LAURACEAE—THE LAUREL FAMILY

The Laurel family, with about 40 genera and nearly 1000 species, is represented in North America by 6 genera, of which 4 are arborescent. Most of the species are tropical. The 2 genera represented in West Virginia are Sassafras, (page 135) and Benzoin, the latter having 1 shrubby species, the common Spice Bush. The Sassafras described herein is the only member of this genus in North America. Another species is found in China.