Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-08-23
Tho Flora of tho South,

Perhaps the most magnificent and beau
tiful forest tree of the South is the live
oak, tree of large proportions and
graceful outlines. The live oak has dense
evergreen foliage, the leaves are from
two to four inches in length and are ovate
or obovate in shape.
THO Oah SIulllur 10 the live oak
and is quite as beautiful.
The black jack, or barren oak, is a
shrub or small tree found in waste lands.
Its leaves are similar to the leaves of our
northern oaks.
The magnolia grandifora is justly cele-
brated for the fine proportions and
appearance of the tree with it's compact
top and large shining evergreen leaves,
and its beautiful blossoms. The flow
er is large and creamy, white in
color, and very fragrant. The tree
begins to blossom in May and continues
in flower during several weeks, perfuming
the woods. 1t is said that the magnolia
may be discovered at distance of three
fourths of a mile by the scent of the
blossoms.
The bay is . spicy, aromatic tree of
great natural beauty, and belongs, with
the cinnamon, sassafras and camphor
trees, to the laurel family. 1t is the sweet
bay or laurel of history. The leaf Of the
bay is eight or ten inches in length, ever
green and glossy, and oblanceolate in
shape. The blossom is white and very
fragrant.
The lantana camera often grown here
in conservatories is large plant or shrub
by the roadside in Florida. The flower
clusters are deep yellow, turning first to
orange and then to red.
A species of verbena also belonging to
the vervain family is found in the woods.
The prickly pear cactus is a very COM
mon plant in waste places. The yellow
blossoms are conspicuous in spring time,
and the red pears during the rest of the
year. The pears are frequently preserved
in sugar for table use.
The cypress tree has very fine and beau
tiful foliage which is of fresh light
green. The leaf is from two to three in
ches in length, pinnately compound and
deciduous.
The wood of the red cedar is admired
and valued for its color, fragrance and
durability.
The southern yellow pine differs from
our pine in that it has leaves one foot in
length and very hard and heavy wood.
One of the most beautiful flowers of
Florida is the yellow jessamine. The
vine is slender and twining, with narrow
3anceolate. dark evergreen leaves. The
borne in the axis of the leaves. The les.
samine often climbs shrubs and trees, fl
ling the tops and hanging down, forming
tangled growth, which In January,
February and March, is filed with the
yellow, saher-shaped, very odorous bios
SONS. Again the plant covers the ground
and small shrubs over large space. The
beauty Of the plant with the rare and del
icate perfume of its blossoms, makes it q
favorite with all.
The Acacia tree is small tree, having
fine and delicate foliage, the pinnatifed
leaf being from one to two inches in
length. The blossoms are small heads on
short peduncles Of yellow, very sweet
fumers. The plant yields gum Is does
another variety Of the acacia gum arab.
ic. The acacia belongs to the pulse fam
lily - does also the indigo plant, which
grows wild in Florida.
The vanilla plant has purple blossoms
and ob0vate leaves, which, In whitening,
are vanilla-scented. The holly family Is
represented by two varieties, the bright
evergreen leaves aud red berries Of which
In winter attract particular notice.
The Spanish bayonet, with its narrow,
straight, sharp pointed leaves. 80 differ