[+] Cymes peduncled, about 5-rayed; drupes globose-ovoid, 3´´ long, shrubs 5–12° high, in swamps.
8. V. cassinoìdes, L. (Withe-rod.) Shoots scurfy-punctate; leaves thickish and opaque or dull, ovate to oblong, mostly with obtuse acumination, obscurely veiny (1–3´ long), with margins irregularly crenulate-denticulate or sometimes entire; peduncle shorter than the cyme. (V. nudum, var. cassinoides, Torr. & Gray.)—Newf. to N. J. and Minn. Flowers earlier than the next.
9. V. nùdum, L. Obscurely scurfy-punctate; leaves more veiny, thickish, oval, oblong or lanceolate, entire or obsoletely denticulate, lucid above (2–4´ long); peduncle usually equalling the cyme.—N. J. to Fla.
[+][+] Compound cymes sessile, 3–5-rayed; drupes oval, 5–7´´ long.
10. V. Lentàgo, L. (Sweet Viburnum. Sheep-berry.) Leaves ovate, strongly pointed, closely and very sharply serrate; petioles long and margined; cyme large; fruit oval, ½´ long or more, ripe in autumn, edible; tree 15–30° high.—Woods and banks of streams, from the Atlantic to Mo., Minn., and northward. Fl. in spring.
11. V. prunifòlium, L. (Black Haw.) Leaves oval, obtuse or slightly pointed, finely and sharply serrate, smaller than in the preceding (1–2´ long); fruit similar or rather smaller.—Dry or moist ground, N. Y. to Mich., Kan., and southward. Flowering early.—A tall shrub or small tree.
12. V. obovàtum, Walt. Shrub 2–8° high; leaves obovate or spatulate, obtuse, entire or denticulate, thickish, small (1–1½´ long), shining; cymes small; fruit 5´´ long, black.—River-banks and swamps, Va. to Fla. May.
4. TRIÓSTEUM, L. Fever-wort. Horse-Gentian.
Calyx-lobes linear-lanceolate, leaf-like, persistent. Corolla tubular, gibbous at base, somewhat equally 5-lobed, scarcely longer than the calyx. Stamens 5. Ovary mostly 3-celled, in fruit forming a rather dry drupe, containing as many ribbed 1-seeded bony nutlets.—Coarse, hairy, perennial herbs, leafy to the top; the ample entire pointed leaves tapering to the base, but connate round the simple stem. Flowers sessile, solitary or clustered in the axils. (Name an abbreviation of Triosteospermum, alluding to the three bony nutlets.)
1. T. perfoliàtum, L. Softly hairy (2–4° high); leaves oval, abruptly narrowed below, downy beneath; flowers brownish-purple, mostly clustered; fruit orange-color, ½´ long.—Rich woodlands, Canada and N. Eng. to Minn., Iowa, and Ala. June. Also called Tinker's-weed, Wild Coffee, etc.