No. 33. DZOSPYROS. 155 



Ebenum. Cal. 5 Segm, Stam. 10. Berry 10 locular. 

 Dimiay with 2 or 3 Styles, type D, digyna. 



r ^^ 



ChloroxyloTiy type D. ditto. 



Go7iopy7'OSy Cal. and Cor. 5 fid. Berry angular or 

 lobed. 



The D. Virgiiiiana is by no means a definite spe- 

 cies. Pursh and Michaux, jun. have noticed that two 

 species are probably blended under that name: to ono 

 of them Pursh gave the name of D. puhescens» I 

 have ascertained three principal varieties at least, (and 

 there are more) which might almost be deemed spe 

 cific; they are 



1. Van Macrocarpa. Leaves smaller, glauceous 

 beneath, fruit very large — Southern States. 



2. Var. Concolor, Leaves middle size, hardly pale 

 beneath, somewhat obtuse, fruit of a good size. 



3. Var. Microcarpa. Leaves large acute, pubescent 

 beneath, fruit very small. — ^^"irginia, &c. This is the 

 D. pubescens of Pursh, who says that the leaves are 

 tomeutose beneath, petioles longer, &c. 



The blossoms are of a pale yellow or orange color, 

 they appear in May and June, when the leaves are 

 yet small and not quite unfolded. The berries are 

 only ripe late in the fall, and after frost; they re- 

 semble a yellow plum, but are globular: before their 

 maturity they are exceedingly acerb and astringent; 

 but when fully ripe and soft, become sweet, and have 

 a fine flavor. These berries were one of the spon- 

 taneous fruits used by the native Tribes ; who pre- 

 served them in various ways, dried them and made 



a 



paste with them : also a kind of Beer or Wine : this 



