Ilgiglll
Oxycoccus macrocarpus. 59
but particularly on the vernal ramuli, which produce the flowers—
oval-oblong, smooth, obtuse, flat; the margin recurved, and in the
older leaves distinctly marked by about four serratiform indentures,
scarcely deserving the appellation of serrulations; divided in the
middle above and more conspicuously beneath, by the costa, from
which the veins run transversely to the margin. The young or vernal
leaves are narrower than the older ones of the preceding year,
and tufted at their apices by loose pubescence. They are all ofa sap-
green above, and glaucous or celandine-green underneath. Flowers
generally in pairs about an inch or an inch and a half asunder,
and supported, towards the termination of the vernal branches, by
erect, reddish, bibracteate, pubescent peduncles, suddenly bent near
the ends: thus, together with the calix and flower-bud, giving
them the appearance of a crane’s head and neck. Bracts acute
and pubescent. Segments of the corolla linear-lanceolate, recurved
towards the calix, channelled, white, delicately tinged towards their
apices with carmine, and maculated with the same hue on the back.
Calix pubescent. Pedicels of the berries nutant or arcuate. Flowers
continuing to expand until immature berries are produced on the
same stem. Immature berries celandine-green and yellowish. Ripe
berries generally of a fine carmine colour, but often light and speckled
with dark-red. They vary in shape from round to oval-oblong—the
commonest form is that represented in the plate. They are a little
acerb and very acid.—Grows in morasses and swamps of rich boggy
bottoms, and covered with sphagnum, from Labrador to Carolina'—
Pursh says, in sandy bottoms and on high mountains. Where found,