284 HOW TO KNOW WILD FRUITS 



nant of a slightly five-toothed calyx. A cross sec- 

 tion of the berry shows a clearly marked partition 

 between the two ovaries. The berries grow on 

 short peduncles. They are round or ovate and 

 dark blue, with a bloom. The berry is quite 

 juicy, but the flavor is unpleasant. June. 



Leaves. — The thickish, opposite, ovate leaves 

 are rounded or narrowed at the base and obtuse 

 at the apex. The upper and the under surfaces 

 of the leaf are slightly hairy, as is the margin. 



Flowers, — The pale yellow blossoms grow 

 on short stems in the axils of the leaves. The 

 ovaries are almost united. May. 



This is a low upright shrub, from one to two 

 feet high. It is quite common in mountain 

 woods and bogs. The plant presents an inter- 

 esting example of reserve buds. Three almost 

 equal buds are formed, one above another, in 

 each axil. The following year one bud develops 

 into a shoot and the other two remain as they 

 are, unless the first shoot is destroyed, when 

 another bud develops to take its place. These 

 reserve buds are said to keep their vitality for 

 several years. 



