PLANT NAMES AND THEIR MEANINGS -V. 



ROSACEAE— III. 

 By WiivLARD N. CluTE. 



ONE of the conspicuous trees of Eastern woodlands in early 

 spring is Amelanchier Canadensis. Its snowy flowers 

 borne in profusion just as the buds of other trees are bursting 

 make it Aasible for long distances and bring it to the attention 

 <3f many who would not otherwise think of it. Moreover, its 

 blooming is held to be coincident with the appearance of the 

 first shad in the coastal rivers and thus it is well known under 

 the common names of "shadbush," "shad blow" or "shad 

 flower." Again, in early summer the tree becomes prominent 

 by reason of its edible fruits, like tiny apples, which appear 

 in as great profusion as the blossoms do. These are highly 

 regarded by the birds and not to be despised by human palates. 

 The common names of "Juneberry," "June Plum," "Indian 

 cherry" and "May cherry," are thus of obvious meaning, while 

 "juice plum" is manifestly a corruption of "June Plum." "Sand 

 cherry" is a name sometimes given to the plant from its habit 

 of persisting in sandy places, and "Indian pear", "currant 

 tree, "sugar i)lum," "sugar pear," "sugar berry" and perhaps 

 other names may be current in restricted localities. All bear 

 the ear-marks of having been made by uneducated people for 

 the fruits are neither berries, pears, cherries, nor plums. They 

 are, in reality, small apples or pomes. The name of "bilberry", 

 misapplied to the tree, is still somewhat nearer the botanical 

 mark, for the fruits do greatly resemble those of the true bil- 

 berry or European whortleberry (Vacciniutn niyrtillans.) 

 The name of "boxwood" alludes to the white close-grained 



