PRUNUS 235 



from the buds of the previous year's shoots. Calyx smooth, with five rounded, 

 oblong lobes. Fruit spherical, i ins. across, yellowish, downy ; flesh thin ; 

 nut pitted. 



Native of China ; introduced to Paris in 1865, by means of seeds sent by 

 the Abbe David, who stated that the tree made a beautiful and conspicuous 

 feature in the vicinity of Pekin. In English gardens this species is chiefly 

 valuable for the earliness of its blossoms, which expand at any time between 

 January and March, according to the weather, the normal time, perhaps, being 

 about mid-February. Owing to their earliness, they are liable to injury (I 

 have frequently seen snow resting on trees in bloom), and should be given 

 a sheltered spot the south-western side of a plantation of evergreens 

 for preference. In such a position, given favourable weather the slender 

 twigs, r to 2 ft. long, wreathed with white or, in var. RUBRA, rosy blossom, 

 have a charming effect. Propagated by. budding on almond or plum stocks. 



P. DEMISSA, A. Dietrich. WESTERN CHOKE CHERRY. 



(Padus demissa, Roemer.} 



A deciduous tree, rarely 30 or more ft. high, more often a shrub ; young 

 bark smooth, strongly scented. Leaves broadly oval, 2 to 5 ins. long, half as 

 wide, rounded or slightly heart-shaped at the base, dark green above, paler 

 beneath, smooth on both surfaces except for a few hairs on the midrib and 

 veins when young ; stalk glandular, ^ to f in. long. Flowers in cylindrical 

 racemes terminating short leafy shoots, 3 to 6 ins. long, each flower \ in. across 

 and white. Fruit globose, shining, very dark purple or nearly black, \ in. 

 diameter. 



Native of Western N. America, where its fruits are made into a very 

 palatable preserve, having a cherry flavour. It , is closely allied to the East 

 American P. virginiana, which differs in its thinner leaves and red fruits. 



P. DIVARICATA, Ledebour. 



(Bot. Mag., t. 6519.) 



A deciduous tree with the same habit and general aspect as P. cerasifera ; 

 neither does it appear to differ in the flowers or foliage. The fruit, however, 

 is smaller (about f in. across), yellow, and not indented at the junction with 

 the stalk. Probably this tree and P. cerasifera are only varieties of one 

 species. They flower at the same time, and are not distinguishable then. 

 There was an old specimen near the Cactus house at Kew which was probably 

 one of the largest in the country. It was 25 ft. high, 27 ft. through, and its 

 trunk was 3 ft. 8 ins. in girth. Quite possibly trees may be growing in various 

 gardens as P. cerasifera. The trees at Kew have rarely borne fruits, but these 

 are quite distinct from cherry plums. The species is said to be a native of 

 the Caucasus, Persia, Macedonia, etc., and to have been introduced in 1822. 



P. EMARGINATA, Walpers. PATTON'S CHERRY. 



(Cerasus Pattoniana, Carriere.") 



A deciduous tree, sometimes 30 to 40 ft. high, with a trunk I ft. or more 

 in diameter, often a shrub; branches downy when young, becoming smooth 

 with age ; bark excessively bitter. Leaves obovate-oblong, usually rounded 

 or blunt at the apex, tapering towards the base ; i^ to 2^ ins. long, scarcely 

 half as wide ; finely and bluntly toothed, downy beneath ; stalk about J in. 



