Latin Texts & Translations

The leaves continue the same upon every species of tree,

with the exception of the poplar, the ivy, and the croton, which we have already mentioned as being called the "cicus." ^[Note]

(23.) There are three kinds of poplar; the white, ^[Note] the black, ^[Note] and the one known as the Libyan ^[Note] poplar, with a very diminutive leaf, and extremely black; much esteemed also for the fungi which grow from it. The white poplar has a parti- coloured leaf, white on the upper side and green beneath. This poplar, as also the black variety, and the croton, have a rounded leaf when young, as though it had been described with a pair of compasses, but when it becomes older the leaf throws out angular projections. On the other hand, the leaf of the ivy, ^[Note] which is angular at first, becomes rounder, the older the tree. From the leaves of the poplar there falls a very thick down; ^[Note] upon the white poplar, which, it is said, has a greater quantity of leaves than the others, this down is quite white, resembling locks of wool. The leaves of the pomegranate and the almond are red.