C. máscula.
3. Córnus máscula, Dur. (Cornelian Cherry.) Leaves opposite, oval-acuminate, rather pubescent on both surfaces. Flowers small, yellow, in umbels from a 4-leaved involucre, blooming before the leaves are out in spring. Fruit oval, ½ in. long, cornelian-colored, ripe in autumn, rather sweet, used in confectionery. A large shrub or low tree, 8 to 15 ft. high, with hard, tough, flexible wood, sometimes cultivated for its early flowers and late, beautiful fruit.
C. alternifòlia.
4. Córnus alternifòlia, L. f. (Alternate-leaved Cornel.) Leaves alternate, clustered at the ends of the branches, ovate or oval-acuminate, tapering at base, whitish with minute pubescence beneath. Cymes of flowers and fruit broad and open. Fruit deep blue on reddish stalks. Shrub, though occasionally tree-like, 8 to 25 ft. high; on hillsides throughout; rarely cultivated.
Genus 46. NÝSSA.
Trees with deciduous, alternate, exstipulate, usually entire leaves, mostly acute at both ends. Flowers somewhat diœcious, i.e. staminate and pistillate flowers on separate trees. The staminate flowers are quite conspicuous because so densely clustered. April and May. Fruit on but a portion of the trees, consisting of one or two small (¼ to ½ in.), drupes in the axils of the leaves. Stone roughened with grooves. Ripe in autumn.
| * Fruit usually clustered | 1, 2. |
| * Fruit solitary | 3. |
