68 Symphoria racemosa.
rous, situate on lateral and terminal racemes, the receptacle of which
becomes elongated as the fruit advances towards maturity. Calix
very small, four-toothed, germ ovate. Corolla peach-blossom-
red, diluted with spots of white, campanulate-tubular, deeply cleft
into five lanceolate, acute segments, bearded or tufted with hairs
within. Stamens included. Anthers oblong. Filaments tufted
with delicate hairs. Pistil simple, shorter than stamens. Stigma
small, orbicular. Berries the size of common black cherries, opake,
orange-coloured-white, crowned with the persistent calix. Seeds
white, two in each mature berry, about the size of a barley corn, elliptical,
convex above, concave and compressed on the under side, on
which the hilum is indistinctly visible. One raceme will often contain
flowers, enlarged germs, and even small berries, at the same
time; and clusters of the mature and smaller berries are found in
great abundance on the lower or primary branches of the shrub,
while the upper are putting forth flower-buds and flowers.
Inhabits the banks of Missouri. M. Lewis. Grows also in Upper
Canada, not far from Queenstown, on the Niagara river, and
near the outlet of Lake Huron, not rare. Mittall. Flowers in July
and August.
This plant belongs to a genus confined to North America, and
which contains only two species. It bears a close resemblance, when
in flower, to the other species, S. glomerata, which has smaller and
Symphoria racemosa. 69
purple berries. Both have elliptical, opposite leaves. The flowers
of glomerata, however, are white, and much smaller; are conglomerated,
and always axillary.
Snow-berry is a very ornamental shrub, particularly because it
bears flowers and fruit at the same time, which continue successively
expanding and ripening during the whole summer,- and when
finally the large bunches of ivory or wax-like berries are matured in
the autumn, the shrub has a very beautiful appearance in borders.
It is hardy, grows luxuriantly without much care, and needs no
further protection from the inclemency of winter, than that usually
afforded in gardens to all valuable shrubs. The late Governor Lewis
first brought to this city seeds of the snow-berry bush, which were
planted in the botanic garden of the late Mr. M!Mahon, where they
flourished and increased. Thence the plant has been disseminated in
the neighbouring gardens; and though not yet common,it is greatly
valued by those who cultivate it. The berries, particularly, are
much admired. The specimens from which the drawing was made,
were furnished by Messrs. Landreth, from their gardens, in which
both this species and the other, S. glomerata, grow abundantly and
luxuriantly.