USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Hingham > History of the town of Hingham, Massachusetts, vol 1 > Part 14
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Woodwardia, Smith. Virginica, Smith. Chain Fern. angustifolia, Smith.
Asplenium, L. Trichomanes, L. Spleen-wort. ebeneum, Ait. Felix-fœmina, Bernh.
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The Botany of Hingham.
Phegopteris, Fée.
hexagonoptera, Fée. Beech Fern.
Aspidium, Sw. Thelypteris, Swartz. Shield Fern.
Noveboracense, Swartz.
spinulosum, Swartz. cristatum, Swartz. marginale, Swartz. acrostichoides, Swartz.
Cystopteris, Bernh. fragilis, Bernh. Bladder Fern.
Onoclea, L.
sensibilis, L. Sensitive Fern.
Dicksonia, L'Hér. pilosiuscula, Willd.
Osmunda, L. regalis, L. Flowering Fern. Claytoniana, L. cinnamomea, L. Cinnamon Fern.
93. OPHIOGLOSSACEAE. (ADDER'S-TONGUE FAMILY.)
The plants of this order have the general characters of the Filices, but differ in some structural peculiarities, for which they have been placed in a separate order. The Botrichium ternatum is a beautiful species.
Botrichium, Sw.
ternatum, Sw. Moonwort. several varieties.
Ophioglossum, L. vulgatum, L. Adder's Tongue.
94. LYCOPODIACEAE. (CLUB-MOSS FAMILY.)
An order of low, creeping, moss-like, evergreen plants ; but in the early ages of the world this family contained many of gigan- tic size. Some species are emetic, but otherwise their properties are unimportant. The powder (spores) contained in the spore- cases is highly inflammable and is used in the manufacture of fireworks.
Lycopodium, L. lucidulum, Mx. Club-moss.
obscurum, L. Ground Pine. clavatum, L. Club-moss. complanatum, L. Spreading-moss. annotinum, L.
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History of Hingham.
95. SELAGINELLACEAE.
Low, leafy, moss-like or marsh plants, differing from the club- mosses in having two kinds of spores.
Selaginella, Beauv. rupestris, Spring.
THE TREES AND SHRUBS OF HINGHAM.
BY EDWARD T. BOUVÉ.
THE beauty of the natural scenery of Hingham, extremely diver- sified as it is by hill and valley, pond and stream, and by its long and varied coast-line, is greatly enhanced by the extent and vari- ety of its woodlands.
Standing on some of the highest hills, the picture spread out to the view in various directions is that of a sea of verdure, stretch- ing to the far horizon, as impenetrable to the vision as the virgin forest that covered the land like a shadow when the pilgrims first set foot on the darkly wooded shore of this county.
These woodlands are rich in the number of species, and add a corresponding variety to the landscape at all seasons. In winter and early spring the purplish-gray masses form a picturesque background to the snowy fields, except where these are fringed by dark evergreens. They vary in their summer dress from the black-green of the savins to the brilliancy of the oaks that reflect the flashes of sunbeams from their polished foliage. In autumn they light up the hillsides with colors of fire.
But not alone do the continuous woods interest the observer. Individual trees remarkable for size and symmetry are not rare ; and the wild hedge-rows along fences or old stone-walls, as well as the clumps and thickets in the fields, are made up of shrubs and woody plants whose very existence, conspicuous as many of these are in their flower, fruit, or foliage, is no more recognized than is their beauty appreciated by the great majority of people who spend a lifetime side by side with them.
A series of rambles over the hills, through the woods, by the meadow-bordered streams and along the seashores of Hingham, will always well repay
"him who in the love of Nature holds Communion with her visible forms."
The woody plants of New England embrace nearly two hundred and fifty species. Of these, there are indigenous to Hingham about half that number.
BERBERIDACEAE.
In all parts of the town grows that always beautiful shrub, the BARBERRY ( Berberis vulgaris, L.).
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History of Hingham.
It prefers the hillsides, although very fine specimens are found in rough, swampy land. Its delicate racemes of fragrant yellow flowers in the spring-time, its rich foliage through the summer, and brilliant clusters of scarlet fruit in autumn, make it at all seasons one of the most ornamental wild shrubs.
TILIACEAE.
The AMERICAN LINDEN ( Tilia Americana, L.) grows all along the water line of Hingham from Weymouth River and Huit's Cove, where there are many fine specimens, at intervals on the shores of the inner harbor, and plentifully on the borders of the pretty inlets and coves of Weir River Bay. Although also found inland, it much prefers the immediate neighborhood of the sea.
ILICINEA.
The AMERICAN HOLLY (Ilex opaca, Ait.) grows most plenti- fully in the woods of the eastern part of Hingham, although it occurs also elsewhere occasionally, notably at Turkey Hill and near Old Colony Hill. This tree is always brilliant, its shining, polished leaves, armed with spines, being even more noticeable in the winter woods than they are when new and fresh in summer. The small, white flowers are not showy, but the scarlet berries form a striking contrast to the evergreen foliage in the winter.
The BLACK ALDER (Ilex verticillata, Gray). This plant grows everywhere in Hingham, preferring low, wet lands. Its flowers, small and white, are in crowded clusters in the axils of leaves. The brilliant scarlet fruit is the cause of the beautiful display which this shrub makes, all along roadsides in low grounds, and in swamps, through the fall and early winter.
The SINGLE-BERRY BLACK ALDER (Ilex lævigata, Gray) grows in Hingham in the deep swamps of the southern borders of the town. It differs from the I. verticillata in having more slender and delicate leaves, and larger, scarcer, and more orange-colored berries. The sterile flowers are on long peduncles.
The INK BERRY ( Ilex glabra, Gray) is found on the high lands of Union Street, Third Division woods, and rarely in the south- ern woods of the town. It is one of the most elegant of shrubs : and is from two to six feet in height, having brightly polished, narrow, evergreen leaves, and shining, black berries. The flowers are white, small, and inconspicuous, as in the other species of Ilex.
MOUNTAIN HOLLY (Nemopanthes fascicularis, Raf.). An ele- gant shrub, with bluish-green leaves on purple or crimson leaf- stalks. The flowers are white, the fruit crimson-red berries on long red peduncles. It grows in the deeply wooded swamps of South Hingham, and at Turkey Hill and Lasell Street woods.
VIEW ON MAIN STREET, HINGHAM.
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The Trees and Shrubs of Hingham.
CELASTRACEA.
NATURE'S WAXWORK ( Celastrus scandens, L.) is common in many parts of the town, although it seems to prefer the approxi- mate neighborhood of the sea. It is a pretty climber, deriving its popular name from the brilliant and artificial character of its red and yellow fruit.
RHAMNACEÆ.
The BUCKTHORN (Rhamnus cathartica, L.) grows sparingly in Hingham. It may be found at Turkey Hill and Third Division woods, possibly elsewhere growing wild, besides being cultivated somewhat for hedges.
JERSEY TEA (Ceanothus Americanus, L.). This pretty little shrub occurs in Lincoln Street woods, toward Huit's Cove, in the woods southeast of Old Colony Hill, at Peck's Pasture, Stoddard's Neck, and probably elsewhere. The plant has a special interest, from having been used as tea during the Revolutionary war.
VITACEÆ.
The WILD GRAPE is represented in Hingham by two species, the Common or Fox Grape ( Vitis labrusca, L.), and the more delicate Summer Grape ( Vitis @stivalis, Michx.) with its compact bunches of very small berries. This is more rare than the labrusca, occurring in the woods between Old Colony Hill and Weir River, as well as in Third Division, Union Street, and Lasell Street woods, and probably elsewhere in town. But the labrusca is found everywhere, and with its rapid growth covers the swampy woods with a tropical luxuriance of rich foliage, while its small and inconspicuous flowers in the spring, and dark purple or amber clusters of fruit in autumn fill the air with delicious fragrance.
The WOODBINE ( Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Michx.) grows in every part of the township. Finest among our climbing vines, in summer covering in careless profusion of foliage the gray rock, or hanging in delicate festoons from tall trees, its strongly individual leaves, resembling somewhat an irregular, five-pointed star, render it conspicuous. But in the fall, flung with Nature's inimitable grace like a scarlet mantle around the cone of a savin, its younger sprays fringing here and there the flame-colored masses, there is no more striking contrast in the woodlands than its brilliancy and the black-green of the cedar. The deep blue of its corymbed berries adds variety to the picture.
SAPINDACEZ.
The MAPLE family is represented in Hingham by the RED MAPLE (Acer rubrum, L.), which grows everywhere in low and
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History of Hingham.
swampy lands, while it also flourishes on uplands. It is a hand- some tree, conspicuous in the fall through the bright uniform red of its leaves.
The SUGAR MAPLE ( Acer saccharinum, Wang.) is also indigenous to this region, although the fact of its being so is not generally known. It grows, and specimens of large size are now standing, near the Cohasset line. This species, which is cultivated every- where in town as an ornamental tree, is always one of our most beautiful shade-trees. Bright and healthy in foliage all through the summer, in autumn nothing can exceed its beauty, the leaves turning red, scarlet, and yellow, these colors often mingling in patches with the bright green on individual leaves. The forests in the North, when made up mainly of the Sugar Maple, exhibit a splendor unparalleled elsewhere in the world.
ANACARDIACEAE.
The plants of the RHUS family are very common all over the township, and on one or two of the islands. The STAGHORN SUMAC (Rhus typhina, L.), its leaves coarser, and like the branch- lets and deep crimson fruit, very velvety-hairy, and the SMOOTH SUMAC (Rhus glabra, L.) with leaves, branches, and scarlet fruit smooth, are found everywhere. The smaller and more delicate DWARF SUMAC ( Rhus copallina, L. ) grows east of the Old Colony Hill and in various other localities. It is a beautiful species, by no means so common as the preceding.
The POISON DOGWOOD (Rhus venenata, D C ), a delicate low tree, is common in swamps everywhere; and the POISON IVY (Rhus Toxicodendron, L.) grows in great profusion. No family of woody plants presents a more showy beauty of foliage at all seasons than this. In the gorgeous apparel of autumn, the Rhus is particularly conspicuous, and of all the species, the most bril- liant is the dangerous Poison Dogwood.
LEGUMINOSÆ.
This order has but one representative among our woody plants ; the COMMON LOCUST (Robinia pseudacacia, L.). The Locust grows on Lincoln Street, Kilby Street, at Rocky Nook, and elsewhere. Its delicate foliage and long racemes of fragrant white flowers would make it one of the most desirable of our ornamental trees but for the ravages of the worm which honeycombs its very hard and tough wood, and often destroys its beauty at an early age.
ROSACEAE.
This large order in its subdivisions is very fully represented in Hingham.
The BEACH PLUM ( Prunus maritima, Wang.) still exists on
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The Trees and Shrubs of Hingham.
the westerly slope of Peck's Pasture, near the water, and prob- ably grew formerly all along our beaches and shores. It may possibly be found now in some such localities, although it has be- come very rare. The best specimen known to have been lately standing, was growing a few years since near the steamboat-land- ing on Summer Street. It has unfortunately been destroyed.
The AMERICAN RED CHERRY (Prunus Pennsylvanica, L.f.) grows in nearly every part of the town. It is a low tree, distinguished by its red bark, small, red, translucent fruit, and narrow leaves, the two semi-blades of which double toward one another, forming an angle with the midrib. The flowers of this species in favorable locations are very large and showy, and their beauty ought to lead to its cultivation as an ornamental tree.
BULLACE PLUM (Prunus spinosa, L. var. insititia). This is a variety of the Sloe or Black Thorn, being a shrub with thorny branches, sharply serrate, ovate-lanceolate, somewhat pubescent leaves. It is very rare in Hingham, having been found on Weir River Lane.
The CHOKE CHERRY (Prunus Virginiana, L.) is also common. It is a shrub or low tree, distinguishable from the Black Cherry by the peculiar serratures of the leaf, which are fine, sharp, and bend forward toward the apex. Its flowers also, are larger and more showy, and the very astringent property of its conspicuous and handsome fruit is familiar to every one.
The BLACK CHERRY ( Prunus serotina, Ehrh.) is found every- where in Hingham as a low shrub, as well as among our largest and finest trees. It grows to an immense size, although the wholesale destruction of our forests and individual trees has unhappily left but very few specimens of even respectable dimen- sions in this region.
Of the Spireas, the MEADOW SWEET (Spira salicifolia, L.) and HARDHACK or STEEPLE BUSH (Spirca tomentosa, L.) are beautiful denizens of our meadows. The Meadow Sweet grows sometimes to the height of six feet, and its fragrant white or rose-tinted blossoms and pretty delicate foliage make it an ever welcome midsummer and fall flower. Its cousin, the Hardhack, is one of our most common plants in low grounds, its tapering spike, cov- ered with rose-colored bloom, showing all along fence-rows and on hummocks in the meadows.
WILD RED RASPBERRY (Rubus strigosus, Michx.). Common at rocky roadsides and in clefts of rocks. A plant hard to distin- guish from the Thimbleberry, except when in fruit.
THIMBLEBERRY ( Rubus occidentalis, L.). Common everywhere in fence-rows and thickets. The fruit purplish-black, while that of the Raspberry is red. The stems are covered with a heavier (bluish-white) bloom than those of the Raspberry.
COMMON HIGH BLACKBERRY ( Rubus villosus, Ait.). This plant is very common, the coarse, thorny stems reaching a height of
+
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History of Hingham.
eight or nine feet in favorable situations, such as damp ditches by roadsides. The white blossoms are very conspicuous. The fruit is firm, close-grained, sometimes hardly edible.
LOW BLACKBERRY ( Rubus Canadensis, L.). This is a trailing, thorny vine, growing in rough fields where the soil is sandy, and on hillsides in all parts of the town. The fruit is juicy and agreeable.
RUNNING SWAMP BLACKBERRY (Rubus hispidus, L.). A delicate, pretty species, with shining leaves, found in marshes and damp woods. The fruit is sour, and of a red or purple color. Quite common.
The SWAMP ROSE ( Rosa Carolina, L.). This is the common wild rose of our swampy lands. It is often, in wet places, a very tall plant, rising sometimes to the height of seven or eight feet. The deeply pink flowers grow in corymbs, and the fruit, scarlet and bristly, is very brilliant in the fall. The leaflets are dull above and pale beneath.
THE DWARF WILD ROSE ( Rosa lucida, Ehrhart) is common, but on higher grounds, or the border of meadows, growing usually about two feet in height. The leaves are shining above and sharply serrate.
The "SWEET BRIER " of song and story (Rosa rubiginosa, L.). This beautiful rose, its branches thickly set with hooked bristles and thorns, grows all through Hingham, mostly in neglected pas- tures or quiet woods. Its flowers, smaller and paler than those of the Carolina, and the sweetness of its foliage, which fills the air about it with fragrance, are its distinguishing characteristics.
The CHOKE BERRY (Pyrus arbutifolia, L.), which grows almost everywhere in the swamps and low lands, is a beautiful shrub. The bright, shining, finely serrate leaves, the white and pink fra- grant flowers, and the clusters of dark crimson fruit (tasting very much more astringent than the Choke Cherry) mark this plant at all seasons.
The WHITE or SCARLET-FRUITED THORN (Crategus coccinea, L.). This handsome shrub or small tree grows in the fields and woods bordering Lincoln Street, especially north of Thaxter Street, at Stoddard's Neck, at Peck's Pasture, and elsewhere. It is con- spicuous for its bright, shining leaves, rusty-spotted from a fungus which attacks them early in the season, its fragrant white flowers, brilliant, scarlet, pear-shaped fruit, a little larger than a cranberry, and its sharp, rigid thorns.
The SHAD BUSH ( Amelanchier Canadensis, Torrey & Gray), in its two varieties, the small tree and the low shrub, grows in all our woods and along walls and fences. Its showy white, fragrant flowers, appearing just as the leaves are starting, in May, cover the branches so densely as to make it appear at a distance as if loaded with snow. A propensity of the tall variety is to grow close to larger trees, supported by them. It rarely appears standing alone and perfectly erect.
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The Trees and Shrubs of Hingham.
SAXIFRAGACEZ.
GOOSEBERRY (Ribes oxyacanthoides, L.). This species grows in moist places, along fences and by walls or rocks, everywhere.
HAMAMELIDEÆE.
The WITCH HAZEL ( Hamamelis Virginiana, L.) is with us a shrub or low tree rarely exceeding twenty-five feet in height. Straggling and irregular as it generally is, it is unique among our woody plants from the fact of its blooming and ripening its fruit at the same time. The peculiar yellow blossoms are an agreeable surprise to the rambler in the woods in October and November, latest reminders as they are, with asters and golden rods, of the season of flowers.
CORNACEA.
The CORNEL family is well represented in Hingham, every spe- cies common to New England growing freely in town, excepting, probably, C. stolonifera.
The DWARF CORNEL ( Cornus Canadensis, L.), a little plant four to eight inches high, is not properly ranked among the woody plants, but having a woody root, although neither shrub nor trec, it is here included. It has its leaves in a whorl of four or six. At the apex is a cluster of small, greenish flowers surrounded by a large, four-leaved, showy, white involucre. The fruit is red. This species grows at Third Division woods and elsewhere.
The FLOWERING DOGWOOD ( Cornus florida, L.) occurs in the woods between the Old Colony Hill, Martin's Well Lane, and Weir River, in Third Division and Turkey Hill woods, and elsewhere. The showy beauty of this small tree when in bloom in June is well known to all who are familiar with woodcraft. The large white involucre, or floral envelope, which surrounds the true flow- ers, makes it conspicuous for a long distance. Further south, where this species fruits more fully, its brilliant scarlet berries have the appearance of coral beads hung from the twigs.
The ROUND-LEAVED CORNEL (Cornus circinata, L'Heritier), a pretty shrub, occurs in the Martin's Well woods, and at Stoddard's Neck, and Hockley. The leaves are large and almost round in their general shape ; the flowers in white spreading cymes with no involucre. The fruit is light blue.
The SILKY CORNEL (Cornus sericea, L.), a large shrub, is found everywhere in low grounds. The silky down upon the under side of the leaves and young shoots, and their rusty color, as well as the purple tint of the branches, mark it plainly. The flowers and fruit are similar to those of the circinata.
The RED OSIER DOGWOOD ( Cornus stolonifera, Michx.) has not been certainly identified in Hingham by the writer, although it may yet be found within the town limits.
VOL. I .- 10
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History of Hingham.
The PANICLED CORNEL ( Cornus paniculata, L'Heritier) grows at Hockley, Stoddard's Neck, and on Lincoln Street. Its leaves, finer and darker than in any other of our species, and its more delicate growth, plainly distinguish it. The white flowers are somewhat panicled, and the fruit white.
The leaves of the preceding species are all opposite. Those of the ALTERNATE-LEAVED CORNEL ( Cornus alternifolia, L. f.) are mostly alternate, and crowded at the ends of the branches, which are also alternate, that is, not opposite each other on the trunk or limbs. This is a shrub or small tree, of a very elegant appearance, growing in all parts of Hingham. The white flowers are in broad eymes, the fruit deep blue.
The TUPELO (Nyssa sylvatica, Marsh.) is very common. It is in every way beautiful, its brilliant polished foliage, dark-green in summer and of a rich red in autumn, rendering it conspicuous. Either growing singly or in clumps, it is very noticeable, especially after the fall of the leaves, for its peculiarity in having the numer- ous branches start from the main trunk or limbs at a right angle, and tend more or less downward.
CAPRIFOLIACEA.
The TRUMPET HONEYSUCKLE (Lonicera sempervirens, Ait.), so much cultivated for its beauty, grows wild in the woods on the easterly slope of Old Colony Hill, and elsewhere, although it has probably been introduced from more southern localities.
COMMON ELDER (Sambucus Canadensis, L.). This plant grows everywhere in low grounds. Its large cymes of white fragrant flowers are conspicuous in early summer, and later in the season the blackish-purple fruit is no less showy in its way.
The RED-BERRIED ELDER (Sambucus racemosa, L.), a beautiful plant, is very rare in Hingham. The white flowers of this species are in panieles, and are replaced by bright red berries.
SWEET VIBURNUM (Viburnum Lentago, L.). This plant has been found everywhere in damp situations and swampy woodlands. It is, like all the viburnums, a beautiful shrub, with its bright green finely serrate leaves, fragrant white flowers, and sweet edible fruit. A specimen growing east of Old Colony Hill has attained a diameter of trunk of five to six inches.
WITHE-ROD ( Viburnum cassinoides, L.). This shrub grows in the woody swamps of the south and west parts of Hingham, par- ticularly in Lasell and Gardner streets, and is found also more sparingly in other localities. This species is distinguished from the other viburnums by having entire leaves, with wavy or revolute edges, the others all having sharply serrate leaves.
ARROW-WOOD (Viburnum dentatum, L.). The Arrow-wood is common in low grounds everywhere. Its very deeply toothed leaves and long straight stalks distinguish it. The Indians were said to use its twigs for arrows ; hence the name.
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The Trees and Shrubs of Hingham.
MAPLE-LEAVED ARROW-WOOD ( Viburnum acerifolium, L.). This pretty little shrub is the smallest of our viburnums, although it occasionally grows to a height of six feet and upwards. The white blossom is very delicate. Its leaves, excepting those at the apex of the stalks, are so like those of the red maple that close examination is often necessary to distinguish them. The maple leaves, however, are smooth, while these are somewhat woolly on the under side.
All the viburnums turn in the fall to a very brilliant crimson color.
BUSH-HONEYSUCKLE (Diervilla trifida, Moench). This low, elegant, but rather inconspicuous shrub is very rare in Hingham, occurring at Hop-Pole Hill, and possibly in the western part of the town.
RUBIACEAE.
BUTTON-BUSH (Cephalanthus occidentalis, L.). This shrub grows along water-courses and on the banks of ponds in all parts of the town. Its peculiar spherical heads of white flowers, very thickly set, render it conspicuous at time of blooming.
The little trailing PARTRIDGE BERRY (Mitchella repens, L.), with its fragrant white flowers, single or in pairs, and bright scarlet berries and evergreen leaves, grows in the Rockland Street and Cedar Street woods, as well as in a few other places Although but a little vine, running upon rocks or the ground, it belongs to the woody plants.
ERICACEAE.
DANGLEBERRY ( Gaylussacia frondosa, T. & G.). This shrub is not very common, although observed in several localities, notably in the woods between Old Colony Hill and Weir River. It is two to five feet high with us, having long, oval leaves, greenish flowers, and dark-blue sweet berries in loose racemes.
The HUCKLEBERRY ( Gaylussacia resinosa, T. & G.) grows everywhere, preferring rough pasture-lands and rocky hillsides. It may be distinguished by the resinous deposit on the under sur- face of the leaves, which is much greater in this species than in any other; and by its jet-black, shining fruit. Very rarely the fruit is found white. The flower is reddish.
DWARF BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium Pennsylvanicum, Lamarck). This pretty little blueberry grows in South Hingham, in the woods east of Old Colony Hill, and doubtless elsewhere. It is a very low shrub, with small, finely serrate leaves, and furnishes the earliest blueberries found in the city markets.
LOW BLUEBERRY ( Vaccinium vacillans, Solander). This little straggling, low bush is one of our blueberries. It may be dis- tinguished by the color of the twigs and branches, which is green, instead of dark, like that of the other species. It is rather com- mon, existing at South Hingham, Weir River woods east of Old Colony Hill, and elsewhere.
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History of Hingham.
COMMON or SWAMP BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium corymbosum, L.). This, a high-bush whortleberry, has a number of varieties for- merly considered as separate species. It varies greatly in our woods and swamps, where it grows freely. Its bell-like white blossom is, in some varieties and in certain favorable locations, quite large, and in other cases very small. The foliage also differs. according to locality.
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