Itea
(from Itea, the Greek name of the Willow, as far back as Homer; applied to this genus on account of the quick growth of the species named below). ORD. Saxifrageae. A genus comprising about five species of trees and shrubs, natives of North-west America, Japan, China, Java, the Himalayan Mountains, and Khasia. Flowers white, small. Leaves alternate, petiolate, oblong or lanceolate, glandulose-dentate or crenate. The only representative of this genus yet introduced is I. virginica, an ornamental hardy deciduous shrub, which, when in a vigorous condition, during autumn, is entirely covered with its racemes of white flowers. It thrives best in a moist sandy or peat soil. Increased, in spring, by seeds, or by suckers; and, in summer, by layers. I. virginica (Virginian). fl. white; racemes simple, terminal. June. l. alternate, simple, oblong, pointed, minutely serrate. h. 6ft. to 7ft. North America, 1744. (B. M. 2409.)