Part 54

=Tilia heterophylla=, Vent.

=Form=.—Height 60-90 feet, diameter 2-3 feet; trunk long, straight, and slightly tapering; crown dense and rounded.

=Leaves=.—Alternate, simple, oblong, ovate to orbicular-ovate, 5-8 inches long, firm, apex pointed, truncate or heart-shaped and usually very unequal at base, upper surface bright green, under surface silvery, whitened with a fine down.

=Flowers=.—June-July; perfect; regular, fragrant, yellow-white; 5-15 in drooping cymose clusters; peduncle attached for half its length to a thin, oblong, greenish bract.

=Fruit=.—A spherical, woody, nut-like drupe about the size of a pea, borne singly or in clusters on a common stalk attached to the bract.

=Bark=.—Deeply furrowed, grayish-brown.

=Wood=.—Similar to and used for the same purposes as that of the preceding species.

=Range=.—New York to Florida, west to Alabama and Illinois.

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—A common tree in Upshur, Randolph, Tucker, Hampshire, Hardy, Grant, Braxton, Lewis, Webster, Nicholas, Roane, Fayette, Kanawha, Gilmer, Monongalia, Marshall, and in several other counties. It is more abundant than the foregoing species of Tilia.

=Habitat=.—With other hardwoods in rich soil of mountains and high hills.

=Notes=.—The White Basswood is a valuable forest tree in West Virginia, though the commercial size is now becoming rare in most sections. It is a rapid grower and is easily propagated. This tree is highly recommended for timber and for ornamental use. The most noticeable difference between this species and the foregoing is found in the leaf surface.

HERCULES CLUB

=Aralia spinosa=, L.

=Form=.—A small tree or shrub sometimes attaining a height of 20-30 feet and a diameter of 6-8 inches. The trunk is usually without branches for two-thirds of its length. Branches horizontal, stout, and stubby. The trunk and branches are armed with large prickles.

=Leaves=.—Alternate, compound or doubly compound, often 3 feet long and 2-2½ feet across; leaflets ovate, pointed, serrate; pale beneath.

=Flowers=.—June-August; polygamous; cream white, arranged in large, spreading panicles made up of numerous small umbels.

=Fruit=.—Matures in autumn; an ovoid black berry about ¼ inch long each terminated with a black persistent style.

=Bark=.—Smooth, except on old trunks which are roughened by shallow furrows; brown outside, yellow inside, covered with stout prickles.

=Wood=.—Soft, brittle, weak, brown with yellow streaks.

=Range=.—New York to Missouri and southward.

=Distribution in West Virginia=.—Common locally west of the Alleghanies.

=Habitat=.—Often associated with grape vines in thickets on burnt hillsides, and in rich soil of bottom lands and swamp borders.

=Notes=.—Hercules Club or Angelica-tree is often erroneously called Prickly Ash. It has no commercial importance except as an ornament. Whether in bloom or in fruit the tree is very attractive and should be seen more often on the lawn. The fruit is eagerly eaten by birds.

FLOWERING DOGWOOD

=Cornus florida=, L.

=Form=.—Height 15-35 feet, diameter 4-12 inches; trunk short, not often straight; crown broad and round-topped.

=Leaves=.—Opposite, simple, ovate, 3-5 inches long, tapered to an acute apex, wedge-shaped at the base, wavy or entire on margin, bright green above, paler beneath, smooth; mid-rib and primary veins prominent.

=Flowers=.—May; perfect; greenish, small, arranged in a dense cluster and surrounded by a showy, white (or rarely pinkish), 4-bracted corolla-like involucre. The white involucre and the cluster of small flowers which it surrounds are frequently mistaken for a single flower.