The Swamp Snowball.
Hydrangea quercifolia, Willd. Sp. Pl. vol. ii. p. 634. Pursh, Flor. Amer. Sept. vol. i. p. 309.—Decandria Digynia, Linn. Saxifragæ, Juss.
This plant is found on the broken sandy banks bordering small water-courses, and is abundant in such situations in the uplands of Louisiana. It seldom grows beyond the size of a bush. The blossoms are lasting, and although without odour, are pleasing to the eye, on account of their pure white colour when first expanded; they dry on the stalks, retaining their form, and remaining until winter. The species is characterized by its oblong, deeply sinuate leaves, which are downy beneath, and its radiated loosely thyrsiform cymes.