256 PRUNUS 



produced with us, although about Pekin the shrub is cultivated for their sake. 

 Propagated by layers and cuttings of half- ripened wood. 



P. TRIFLORA, Roxburgh. JAPANESE PLUM. 



A deciduous tree, 20 to 30 ft. high, with smooth, dark young wood. Leaves 

 obovate or oval, 3 to 4^- ins. long, nearly half as wide ; downy in the axils of 

 the veins beneath, doubly round-toothed. Flowers white, f in. across, pro- 

 duced in early April, each on a slender smooth stalk \ in. long, normally in 

 threes from each bud of the previous year's shoots, but sometimes in pairs 

 or singly; calyx with five rounded oblong lobes, smooth, often slightly toothed. 

 Fruit heart-shaped, 2 to 2f ins. deep, nearly as wide, or> globular with a deep 

 depression where the stalk is attached ; the colour in cultivated varieties 

 varies considerably, being of different shades or combinations of red, orange, 

 and yellow. 



This tree is presumably a native of China, but does not appear to be 

 known in a wild state. The name was first given by Roxburgh to a plant 

 growing in Calcutta Botanic Garden early last century. It has long been 

 cultivated by the Japanese, and in 1870 was introduced to California, where 

 its cultivation has developed into an important industry. In this country its 

 ornamental value is about equal to that of P. cerasifera, from which it differs 

 in the shape of the fruits, the more numerous flowers at each node, and in the 

 longer leaves. Whether it will prove worthy of cultivation for its fruit remains 

 to be seen, but it is very doubtful. Probably it requires a hotter summer than 

 ours to develop its best qualities. Californian fruits are sometimes offered in 

 London shops. 



P. TRILOBA, Lindley. 



(Bot. Mag., t. 8061 ; Amygdalopsis Lindleyi, Carriere.) 



A deciduous shrub or small tree, 12 to 15 ft. high, young shoots usually 

 smooth. Leaves ovate or obovate, I to 2j ins. long, f to i^ ins. wide ; 

 tapering at both ends, irregularly, doubly, and rather coarsely toothed ; 

 slightly hairy beneath. Flowers pinkish white, f to I in. across, produced 

 singly or in pairs (sometimes more) from each bud of the previous year's 

 shoots ; calyx smooth, in. long, with shallow, rounded lobes. Fruit covered 

 with pale down when ' quite young ; not seen mature by me, but said to 

 be red. 



Var. FLORE PLENO. Flowers i| ins. across, of a delicate rose, very 

 " double." Leaves more obovate than in the type, often more or less three- 

 lobed towards the apex. 



Prunus triloba is a native of China, and the double-flowered variety was 

 introduced by Fortune in 1855 ; it was upon this that Lindley founded the 

 name. It is the most popular and beautiful form of the species, flowering in 

 the greatest profusion about the end of March or early in April. It is seen 

 at its best against a south wall, where it should be pruned once a year 

 as soon as the flowers are faded, cutting the blossoming twigs close back. 

 Shoots i to T.\ ft. long are then made, which flower the following year. It 

 may be grown in the open ground, but does not flower so profusely there ; it 

 is also very extensively used for forcing early into bloom for greenhouse 

 decoration. The single-flowered, type plant was of later introduction, but is 

 by no means so exquisite a shrub as the other, neither do the flowers last as 

 long. The form known in gardens as PETZOLDII is very much the same as 

 the type, but has ovate, not trilobed leaves. Propagated by cuttings of firm 

 wood or by layers. Plants worked on the plum stock are often troublesome 

 because of suckers. 



