1. T. Canadénsis, Carr. Leaves petioled, short-linear, obtuse (½´ long); cones oval (6–8´´ long), of few thin scales much longer than the bracts. (Abies Canadensis, Michx.)—Mostly hilly or rocky woods, N. Scotia to Del., and along the mountains to Ala., west to Mich. and Minn.—A tall tree, with light and spreading spray and delicate foliage, bright green above, silvery beneath.
4. ÀBIES, Link. Fir.
Sterile flowers from the axils of last year's leaves; anthers tipped with a knob, their cells bursting transversely; pollen as in Pinus. Fertile catkins and cones erect on the upper side of spreading branches; cones maturing the first year; their thin scales and mostly exserted bracts deciduous at maturity. Seeds and bark with balsam-bearing vesicles. Leaves scattered, sessile, flat, with the midrib prominent on the whitened lower surface, on horizontal branches appearing 2-ranked. (The classical Latin name.)
1. A. balsàmea, Miller. (Balsam or Balm-of-Gilead Fir.) Leaves narrowly linear (6–10´´ long); cones cylindrical (2–4´ long, 1´ thick), violet-colored; the bracts obovate, serrulate, tipped with an abrupt slender point, shorter than the scales.—Damp woods and mountain swamps, Newf. to Penn., along the mountains to Va., west to Minn., and northward. A slender tree or at high elevations a low or prostrate shrub.
5. LÀRIX, Tourn. Larch.
Catkins lateral, terminating short spurs on branches of a year's growth or more, short or globular, developed in early spring; the sterile from leafless buds; the fertile mostly with leaves below. Anther-cells opening transversely. Pollen-grains simple, globular. Cones as in Spruce, the scales persistent.—Leaves needle-shaped, soft, deciduous, all foliaceous, very many in a fascicle developed in early spring from lateral scaly and globular buds, and scattered along the developed shoots of the season. Fertile catkins crimson or red in flower. (The ancient name.)
1. L. Americàna, Michx. (American or Black Larch. Tamarack. Hackmatack.) Leaves short; cones ovoid (6–9´´ long), of few rounded scales, arranged in {2/5} order.—Chiefly in cold swamps, N. Penn. to N. Ind. and central Minn., and far northward. A slender tree, 30–100° high, with hard and very resinous wood.
6. TAXÒDIUM, Richard. Bald Cypress.
Flowers monœcious, the two kinds on the same branches. Sterile flowers spiked-panicled, of few stamens; filaments scale-like, shield-shaped, bearing 2–5 anther-cells. Fertile catkins ovoid, in small clusters, scaly, with a pair of ovules at the base of each scale. Cone globular, closed, composed of very thick and angular somewhat shield-shaped scales, bearing 2 angled seeds at the base. Cotyledons 6–9.—Trees, with narrow linear 2-ranked light and deciduous leaves; a part of the slender leafy branchlets of the season also deciduous in autumn. (Name compounded of τάξος, the yew, and εἶδος, resemblance, the leaves being Yew-like.)
1. T. dístichum, Richard. (American Bald Cypress.) Leaves linear and spreading; also some awl-shaped and imbricated on flowering branchlets.—Swamps, S. Del. to S. Ill. and Mo., and southward, where it is a very large and valuable tree. March, April.